Deadly Questions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 8) (12 page)

“Where are the guys?” Sophie asked, dropping her purse on the couch and looking around Mandy’s living room wearily.

“They’re out in the saloon playing pool,” Mandy said. “They promised they wouldn’t be out there all day. This is the first chance they’ve really had to enjoy the table.”

Sophie nodded, sinking down on the couch and closing her eyes briefly. “I’m so tired.”

“Grady says you’ve been working too much,” Ally said. “You shouldn’t tire yourself out like this. You need rest. It’s Sunday. Why were you at work?”

“I wasn’t technically working,” Sophie said. “I had to go and put a fire out at Peter’s.”

“Not a literal fire I hope,” Mandy said.

“No, just Lily,” Sophie said. “Although, he’s convinced it’s arson.”

Emma wrinkled her nose. “I’m so sorry. Is she being … difficult?”

“Peter’s threatening to have her fitted with cement shoes so he can drop her in the Detroit River. He’s already got a spot picked out.”

Emma covered her mouth, appalled. “Oh, no.”

“He wouldn’t really do it, Emma,” Sophie said. “He’s just annoyed. Lily has been running his staff ragged.”

“You wouldn’t think a woman who is used to nothing would act like she deserves everything,” Mandy mused.

“No, you wouldn’t,” Sophie agreed.

“She’s been through so much,” Emma said.

“I know that,” Sophie said. “Peter knows it, too. That’s the only reason she’s still alive. Oh, cripes, I’m joking, Emma. Get a grip.”

“I’m so sorry,” Emma said. “She can come back to my place.”

Ally snorted. “Not if you want to keep Finn in your life.”

Emma frowned.

“I was joking, Emma,” Ally said. “Finn would never leave you. He just really dislikes Lily.”

“She’s mean to him,” Mandy said.

“I believe he said she bullies him,” Sophie corrected. “Something about calling him ‘a girl.’”

Mandy snickered. “I don’t understand why that’s such an insult. We’re all girls.”

“Yes, but they’re manly men,” Ally said. “They do manly things – like shaving their chests.”

“Grady deep conditions his hair once a week,” Sophie chortled.

“James paints Mandy’s toenails,” Ally added.

“And Finn likes those masks at the spa now,” Emma admitted.

Three heads swiveled in her direction. “What?”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you that?” Emma said, lowering her head.

“James said the spa was the worst day of his life,” Mandy said. “And he included the day I was almost blown up in that statement.”

“Grady is still traumatized by the waxing,” Sophie said. “I can’t even wax my eyebrows when he’s in the room.”

“Well, Finn likes it,” Emma said. “Although, now that I think about it, I promised not to tell anyone.”

Ally mimed crossing her heart. “Your secret is safe with me.” She got to her feet. “I’m starting the burgers. I’m not waiting for them.”

Emma leaned forward once Ally was out of earshot. “She’s going to tell Finn, isn’t she?”

“Oh, yeah,” Mandy said. “She can’t keep that to herself.”

Emma frowned. “I have such a big mouth.”

Sophie patted her knee. “We all do. He’ll get over it.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Then we’ll all start calling him a girl until he does,” Sophie said. “He’s the one who gives in easiest.”

“Oh, well, okay.” Emma was suddenly happy again.

Mandy shook her head, her gaze bouncing between faces. “We’re a very weird family.”

“SO,
do you think these guys might know something?” Grady asked, lining up his shot.

“I can’t be a hundred-percent sure,” Jake cautioned. “There was just something there.”

“It’s good you didn’t push it,” James said. “You don’t want to ask the wrong questions on the first day you meet them. That could tip them off that you’re an investigator.”

“No,” Jake agreed. “I know what I’m doing. You don’t have to worry.”

“What are they like?”

“They’re complete and total dirtbags,” Jake said. “They make my skin crawl.”

“You’re going to have to be more specific,” Finn said. “That could be all men, at one time or another.”

“Well, the one guy says that he wishes women were mute so he could just pump them and dump them,” Jake supplied.

Finn made a face. “Nice.”

“One of the others suggested that, if I wanted to start pimping, I should watch out for Frankie,” Jake added. “Oh, and my favorite was when they told me about the prostitutes on the corner, and how they only charge ten bucks for a hand job.”

James furrowed his brow. “I’m sorry, man. We shouldn’t have sent you down there.”

“It’s fine,” Jake said, waving him off. “I just … I don’t like lying to Ally.”

“Has she asked you anything?”

“No,” Jake said. “I came home late last night, and she was already asleep. She smelled the smoke from the bar, and I told her I was working a job for you guys.”

“That’s not technically a lie,” Grady pointed out.

“If Sophie told you that in the same situation, would you think it was a lie?”

Grady faltered. “I see what you mean.”

“I just don’t want her to worry,” Jake said. “She’ll sit around obsessing if I tell her the truth.”

“And, if she finds out you’re lying, she’s going to blow her stack,” Finn supplied. “Yeah. We know. Trust us, we know.”

“I can’t bear the thought of hurting her,” Jake admitted. “I feel … caught.”

James ran his tongue over his teeth. “Pull out. We’ll find another way.”

“That seems like a waste now, doesn’t it?” Jake said. “I’m already in.”

“If you get uncomfortable … .”

“I’ll be gone,” Jake said. “Let’s give it a few more days. If we can crack this by then? Great. If not? We might have to consider some other options.”

“Okay,” James said. “Just … be careful.”

“I always am,” Jake said.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caused four heads to swivel toward the door. None of them had heard it open.

When James caught sight of his wife, he knew he was in trouble. “Hey, baby,” he said. “Are you guys ready to eat?”

“We are,” Mandy said. “Ally is already grilling.”

“I was going to grill,” James protested.

“Well, we were tired of waiting,” Mandy said. “Ally is perfectly capable of slapping some meat on the grill and cooking it.”

“Okay, well, we’ll be up in a second.”

Mandy arched an eyebrow. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

James exchanged a worried look with Jake. “Just that you look beautiful in that top,” he said. “The blue matches your eyes. And, as you know, that’s my favorite color ever.”

“Cute.”

James sighed. “Fine. I’m guessing you heard us.”

“Are you asking if I heard that you sent Jake undercover in the slums and that he’s lying to my best friend about it?”

“No,” James said. “I’m pretty sure I already know the answer to that question.”

Mandy stalked around the table, stopping in front of James and lifting her head to meet his gaze evenly. James inadvertently swallowed.

“I’m really mad,” Mandy said.

“I can see that.”

Mandy poked him in the chest. “I’m really, really mad.”

“Baby … stop doing that!”

“Why are you such an idiot sometimes?”

“We’re trying to solve a case,” James said, stepping away from his wife and her incessantly evil finger. “You’re the one who made me promise we would.”

“Oh, don’t you turn this around on me,” Mandy said. “Lying to Ally was never part of the job description.”

“Do you want Ally to worry?” James challenged.

“Of course not.”

“Do you want Jake to be in danger because he’s worried about Ally?”

“No.”

“Do you want to save innocent women from a horrible fate?”

“Oh, that is so unfair,” Mandy said, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re trapping me.”

“Hey, guys, can you give me a few minutes with my wife?”

Jake, Grady and Finn couldn’t escape quickly enough, exiting the saloon without a backwards glance. Once they were gone, James relaxed his stance.

“Listen, baby, there are women out there being kidnapped and transported across the border,” he said. “I’m sure of it now. We don’t know why, but we can all hazard a guess, and it isn’t good. We needed someone undercover. The people down there already know that Grady, Finn, and I were asking questions. We weren’t options for this particular assignment.”

Mandy bit her bottom lip, her eyes conflicted.

“Jake is smart,” James continued. “If he gets in trouble, he knows what to do. We weren’t keeping it a secret just for the sake of lying. We don’t want Ally worried. You know as well as I do that she won’t be able to sleep if she knows what he’s doing.

“I didn’t tell you because I know you can’t keep it from Ally,” James continued. “I love you dearly, but you can’t lie to her. It’s not in you. I am asking you to keep this to yourself. Just for a few days.”

“You just said I couldn’t lie to Ally,” Mandy pointed out.

“I’m not asking you to lie,” James said carefully. “I’m asking you to … evade.”

“How is that different from lying?”

“It’s complicated.”

Mandy sighed, running her hand through her flaxen locks as she shuffled uncertainly. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can,” James said, taking a step toward her. “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“What if I’m not sure this is right?”

“Okay, for the sake of argument, what happens when you tell Ally the truth?”

“She freaks out.”

“And that’s what you want?”

“No,” Mandy said. “I also don’t want to lie to her. Other than you, she’s the best friend I’ve ever had.”

James’ face softened. “I’m your best friend?”

“Aren’t I yours?”

“You’re my best everything, baby.”

“I promise to try and keep it quiet,” Mandy said carefully. “If she asks me head on … .”

“Then I know you have to tell her,” James finished. “Just … please don’t purposely put yourself in the position where you manipulate it so she asks.”

“I wouldn’t do that!”

James chuckled. “I’ve known you the better part of my life. You are the best part of my life. You’re also loyal to a fault. You might not be able to help yourself.”

“I am perfectly capable of playing it cool.”

“Come here, wife.” James beckoned to her.

Mandy slipped into his arms.

“I love you, Mandy,” he said. “I love Ally, too. I don’t want her hurt. She’ll be hurt if we’re not careful.”

“I’ll be careful.”

James cupped her chin. “Be very careful.”

“You’re going to owe me,” Mandy warned.

James kissed her.

“That doesn’t count,” Mandy said.

“I didn’t think it did,” James said. “How about an hour-long massage and a viewing of … what’s the name of that shark movie with the people trapped in the underground mall?”

“
Bait
.”

“And we’ll watch that. I happen to like the part with the dog.”

“Fine,” Mandy said. “I’m still worried.”

“You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t,” James said. “It’s only for a few days, baby.”

“Do you think you can solve this that quickly?” Mandy’s eyes reflected doubt.

“I don’t know,” James answered truthfully. “I won’t keep Jake down there a second longer than is necessary. I can promise you that.”

“I know.”

“Now, come on,” James said, linking his fingers with hers. “I’m starving. I just hope Ally hasn’t ruined the burgers.”

“They’re burgers. How could she ruin them?”

“Have you ever eaten Ally’s cooking?”

“Yes.”

“Has she ever cooked anything she hasn’t ruined?”

“She can cook breakfast,” Mandy pointed out.

James stilled. “Yeah, what is it with you guys? You can both cook breakfast and then you burn boiled water when you try to cook something else.”

“I think I’ve just been insulted,” Mandy grumbled.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, you always look hot when you do it,” James offered.

“You’re rubbing me until your hands fall off tonight.”

“It will be my pleasure.”

“What are you doing here?” Mandy asked, glancing up from her desk in the courtroom and fixing Sophie with a quizzical look. “Is something wrong? Has something happened?”

Sophie lifted her hand. “No. I’m just here for a case on your afternoon docket.”

Mandy furrowed her brow, shifting through the files. “Well, I know you’re not here for the armed-robbery guy. He only got away with a fifth and a carton of smokes.”

“No,” Sophie said, shaking her head.

“Oh, you’re here for the girl who was raped by her brother and his friends,” Mandy said, wrinkling her nose. “She’s only fourteen.”

“Yeah,” Sophie said, her face reflecting the same revulsion Mandy felt.

“Why did they send you?”

“The court reporter is upstairs on that guy who built the dungeon in his basement because he thought he was some sort of sex god.”

“Is that the bigger story?” Mandy asked.

Sophie shrugged. “They’re both big. They’ll both get a lot of hits on the website.”

“You don’t … you don’t print the name of the victim, do you?”

“No,” Sophie said. “Not only is the victim underage, but we never print the names of sexual-abuse victims. Well, to be fair, we don’t do it without consent. We have had victims approach us with their story, and when they want the story out there, we’ll print it.”

Mandy sighed, relieved. “I think this is going to be a bad one.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Sophie said. “They’re all bad ones in my book. I think you see the worst of the worst in this job. If you think it’s going to be bad … then it’s probably going to be terrible.”

“I’ve seen the witness statements,” Mandy said. “It’s going to be awful.”

“Great,” Sophie said, glancing around the courtroom. “Will it start on time?”

“Yeah,” Mandy replied. “There’s one sentencing to kick things off. It’s an easy one. It shouldn’t take more than five minutes. Then we have testimony all afternoon scheduled for this case.”

“Judge MacIntosh runs a tight ship,” Sophie said. “I always hate coming to court because it never starts on time. He’s good.”

“He is good,” Mandy agreed. “Just so you know, it’s not usually the judge holding things up when it comes to court. It’s the lawyers and prosecutors hammering out plea deals.”

“There’s no chance of a plea deal in this, is there?”

Mandy shook her head. “Heather Harrington doesn’t do plea deals.”

Sophie scowled. “This is
her
case?”

“What’s your deal with Harrington, other than the obvious, I mean?”

“She’s never liked me,” Sophie said. “Even before I wrote the story about her brother. You know me, I’m not one of those women who thinks other women are out to get me. That’s just not my way. I do think she’s been out to get me from the beginning, though.”

“You know what’s funny? I feel the same way,” Mandy admitted. “I never understood why she considered me an obstacle, but that’s exactly how I feel when I’m in a room with her. It’s always like she’s trying to find a way to step over me.”

“I think she’s just that way with women,” Sophie said. “Men think she’s great. I’ve never met a woman who likes her.”

“Maybe she’s got that competitive thing with women,” Mandy suggested. “Some women just look at other women like they’re trying to take something from them.”

“Except she’s the one trying to take things,” Sophie said.

Mandy smiled sympathetically. “You know Grady would never be suckered in by a woman like her, don’t you?”

“I hope not.”

“Oh, come on, Sophie,” Mandy scoffed. “Grady is so in love with you he has stars in his eyes when you’re in the room.”

Sophie stilled. “Do you think so?”

“Of course.”

“I … you know … .” Sophie broke off, uncertain.

Mandy touched the reporter’s arm. “What’s wrong?”

Sophie’s voice was thick with unshed tears when she decided to speak again. “He’s never told me he loves me.”

Mandy was taken aback. “What?”

“He’s … he doesn’t love me.”

“Oh, Sophie, I don’t believe that,” Mandy said. “I’ve seen him. He loves you. Why do you think he’s never told you he loves you?”

“You’ll have to ask him,” Sophie said, averting her gaze. “I’m not the one to ask.”

“Well, what does he say when you tell him that you love him?”

Sophie shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve never told him either.”

Mandy’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. “Why not?”

“I’m … scared.”

“That he won’t say it back?”

Sophie nodded.

“He’s going to say it back, Sophie,” Mandy said.

“I wish I could be sure.”

“Let me tell you something about Grady Hardy,” Mandy said. “I’ve known him for as long as I can remember. There was a time I knew him better than James. He’s a good guy. He’s an honest guy. He’s a guy who would never settle down with a woman unless he loved her.”

“I’m caught,” Sophie admitted. “I want to tell him I love him so much it hurts sometimes. But, if he doesn’t say it back, then where am I? We live together. Can I knowingly live with a man who doesn’t love me?”

“He loves you,” Mandy said, gripping Sophie’s hand tightly. “I know he does.”

“I tell him sometimes.”

“You just said you hadn’t told him.”

“I tell him when he can’t hear me,” Sophie admitted. “I tell him when he’s just left the room, or when he’s sleeping. I tell him in my head.”

Mandy listened, her heart going out to Sophie with every word.

“I just can’t say it when he’ll hear me,” Sophie said.

“You know, I was the first one who said it to James,” Mandy said.

“You were?”

“He was asleep, and we’d spent less than a week together,” Mandy said. “I felt it, and I said it. I didn’t know until we … until later … that he’d heard me. He wasn’t really asleep. He didn’t run at the words.”

“When did he say it to you for the first time?” Sophie asked.

“After Troy tried to kill me at the courthouse,” Mandy said. “We were both back at his apartment. We were exhausted. It was the first night since … well … the first time, that we didn’t have sex. I remember being really worried he would lose interest once the danger was gone. I thought that he would just slip away from me.

“We were in the bed, and the light was off, and he just kind of pulled me to him,” Mandy continued. “It was quiet. I thought he might already be asleep. Then he just said it.”

“What did you do?”

“I said it back.”

Sophie mulled Mandy’s words over. “I’ve never really considered how things were for you guys. By the time I met you, you were dropping the L-bomb at every turn.”

“The L-bomb?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Once he said it, he never stopped,” Mandy said.

“But … when he says it, it still affects you, right?”

“Every time.”

“I need to hear it,” Sophie admitted.

“You need to say it,” Mandy countered.

“I know,” Sophie grumbled. “I’ve never considered myself a coward. I’m so scared, though.”

“You’ll find your courage, Sophie. You’re the bravest person I know.”

Sophie reached down, instinctively hugging Mandy. “You know I love you, right?”

“I love you, too,” Mandy said, smiling as she embraced the reporter. “You’re my sister now.”

“Oh, this is so sweet.”

Sophie straightened, pulling away from Mandy and fixing Heather Harrington with a disgusted look. “Do you mind? This is a private conversation.”

“Oh, are you two going to leave your respective boyfriends and become lesbians?” Heather dropped her briefcase on the prosecutorial table and fixed the two friends with a saucy look. “I’m sure they’ll be crushed.”

“I’m fairly certain that would turn them on,” Mandy shot back, causing Sophie to snort.

“They’re handsome men,” Heather said.

“They are,” Sophie agreed.

“Apparently they’re not very bright.”

Mandy made a face. “Is there something you need? This conversation really isn’t any of your business.”

“This is a public court,” Heather replied.

“Oh, really, I had no idea,” Mandy deadpanned. “I guess that would explain the gavel.”

“And the benches,” Sophie added.

“You two are cute,” Heather said. “You actually pretend that you like each other.”

“We do like each other,” Mandy said. “We’re family.”

“Oh, did Sophie get married when I wasn’t looking?”

Sophie made a face. “Nope. I’m still living in sin.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Heather said. “I’m sure it won’t last.”

“I wouldn’t to pretend to know the Hardys if I were you,” Mandy shot back. “You’re out of your league.”

“Just because you managed to bamboozle that man into marrying you, and I’m fairly certain you had to lie and tell him you were pregnant to do it, that doesn’t mean you know him,” Heather scoffed.

“I’ve known him since I was a kid,” Mandy replied. “We grew up in the same town.”

Heather faltered. “Well, isn’t that special?”

“He is special,” Mandy agreed. “I’ve known Grady since I was a kid, too. I know them both very well.”

“Well … bully for you.”

Mandy rolled her tongue in her mouth, fighting the urge to be vindictive. She lost. “You’re the one out of your league if you think Grady Hardy could ever be tempted by a serpent like yourself.”

“A serpent?”

“I’m guessing rattler,” Sophie said.

“I was going for boa constrictor,” Mandy countered. “She looks like she has to swallow anything whole to keep it with her.”

“Good choice,” Sophie said.

“Is something going on here?”

Mandy shifted her gaze to the door between the courtroom and the hallway that led to the back offices, her eyes landing on a worried-looking Judge MacIntosh.

“Just some good-old-fashioned female … conversation,” Mandy said.

“Ms. Lane,” MacIntosh said, stepping into the room. “It’s good to see you.”

“You, too.”

“He’s just being polite,” Heather said. “He hates you just as much as the rest of the court staff does … this
clerk
notwithstanding.”

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t speak for me, Ms. Harrington,” MacIntosh said. “Besides, that is not even remotely the truth.”

Heather faltered.

“I happen to think that Ms. Lane is one of the jewels of our county,” the judge said. “She performs a very important service. The public has a right to know, and she does a very good job of informing them.”

“She’s a bottom feeder.”

“Shut up,” Mandy snapped.

Judge MacIntosh took an involuntary step back, surprised at Mandy’s vehemence.

“You shut up,” Heather snarled. “You sit there and pretend you’re something special. You parade your husband around and make people believe that you’re some sort of county socialite now, when we all know you’re living off his money. I have no idea how you convinced that man to marry you, but we all know some coercion was involved.

“You are a court clerk,” she continued. “You are not rich. You’re a … you’re nothing. Just because your husband has money and standing, that doesn’t mean you do. He’s going to realize what you are and leave you. I just can’t wait to see it happen.”

“That will be enough of that,” MacIntosh said.

Heather was affronted. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t know anything about Mandy – or her husband, for that matter.”

“And you do?”

“I know that she’s a good worker,” MacIntosh said. “I know that she’s loyal, and I know she’s incredibly smart. I’ve also gotten to know her husband over the past year. He’s stalwart and true. He’s strong, and smart, and he’s made a name for himself in this county.

“You have no idea how he feels about his wife, and I’m not certain why you feel the need to pretend you do,” he continued. “I can say, with unequivocal certainty, that he loves his wife absolutely. I have never seen a man love a woman so completely.”

Heather’s face colored.

“There is something going on here that I clearly don’t understand,” MacIntosh said. “Everyone should just stop whatever they’re doing. That’s everyone! An outburst like this will not be tolerated again.”

“Well, then you should talk to them,” Heather sniffed.

“Ms. Harrington, I don’t care who your father is,” MacIntosh said. “I get that you think you’re untouchable because of him. That’s not how things work in my courtroom, though. Something tells me they’re not the ones in the wrong here. I think it’s you.

“Don’t bother arguing,” MacIntosh said, raising his hand to stifle her. “I’m not a fool. I know what you’re doing. I’ve heard rumors about your machinations from other people in this courthouse. I just want you to know, in this courtroom, you’re not above anything. Don’t ever pull anything like this again.”