Delivering Justice (10 page)

Surprisingly, they did make it. Majestic live oaks surrounded the house. As they neared, she saw something that made her heart jump in her chest—the partially painted El Camino parked at the side.

Jessica froze. “Elijah’s here?”

Tyler shot her a look that warned her to be on guard. “We have no idea if we’re here because we outsmarted security or if we’re right where they want us. Either way, I’d like to get a closer look.”

“He must be involved,” she said quietly and mostly to herself. There must’ve been something she’d missed in their conversation. He hadn’t missed a beat when he saw her. But then, she wasn’t the best judge when it came to liars. Jessica had the sometimes unfortunate tendency to take people at face value. “Do you think this means my sister is somewhere safe?”

“It very well might.” There was a note of sympathy in his voice. He was trying to give her hope and she appreciated it. She would hold on to it and not give in to the despair nipping at her heels.

The veranda stretched on for what felt like days, wrapping the entire front and left side of the mansion. There were half a dozen white rockers positioned to take advantage of the view of the front gardens. She followed Tyler to a window and peeked inside. She’d already seen the hand-painted stained-glass windows from the front yard. But what they could see through the window was the picture of opulence.

The crystal chandelier hanging over the foyer was fit for a king. Jessica moved to the next set of windows to the left and saw a receiving room that looked like something out of a Southern plantation magazine. A marble fireplace mantel was the focal point of the room. There were perfectly preserved vintage gold-leafed French furnishings. This place was the very epitome of grandeur—a world that was very foreign to Jessica. Even though it was beautiful, it was also intimidating and felt like something out of another time and place, albeit perfectly preserved.

“Whoever decorated this place must’ve died in the Civil War,” Tyler joked, and she was once again reminded of how different he was from the picture of wealthy people that Jenn had painted.

She couldn’t help but laugh and it felt good to break the tension. “I can’t see Elijah anywhere.”

“I don’t like that one bit,” Tyler admitted.

Jessica’s stomach dropped when she heard the sound of a boot stepping onto the wooden porch. She whirled and there he was, fifteen feet away, the barrel of a gun pointed at her.

“Don’t even think about doing anything stupid, cowboy,” Elijah said as Tyler spun around.

“Funny seeing you here,” Tyler quipped, holding his hands up in surrender. “I’m here to see the Brasseuxs. Emma-Kate’s expecting us.”

“She and Ashton aren’t here right now,” Elijah said with an ominous smirk.

Jessica thought when she’d first seen Elijah’s El Camino that he was somehow in league with the Brasseuxs. Now she wondered if that had been a mistake. Maybe he was just a common criminal and they were innocent victims. “Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know exactly who I’m talking about,” Jessica said.

“Jenn? Let’s just say she won’t be in the way anymore.” His voice held no emotion.

Jessica cursed and made a move toward Elijah, blinded by anger.

Tyler stopped her by grabbing her arm. “Don’t. That’s exactly what he wants. Don’t give him any reason to shoot you.”

She conceded but took another step forward, hoping she could get Tyler close enough to make a move. Elijah couldn’t shoot both of them and she might be able to create a diversion long enough to give Tyler an advantage. She knew nothing about guns, though, so she had no idea if Elijah could fire multiple rounds in a few seconds or if he’d need to cock the hammer every time. Tyler squeezed her elbow and she took that as a warning.

“What do you want with me?” she asked, still trying to stall so Tyler could think of a plan. She knew he wouldn’t make a move as long as that barrel was pointed at her chest. She didn’t need to be an expert to know that a shot this close would do serious damage.

“Who the hell are you? Jenn never said anything about having a sister,” Elijah said and his voice was a study in calm. His disposition, relaxed shoulders and steady hand said that he felt in control, and he was for the moment.

“It’s none of your business who I am,” she shot back, anger getting the best of her again. The gentle, reassuring squeeze to her arm came a second later. “Where is my sister?”

Elijah sighed. “That, I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.” Jessica ground her back teeth to keep from saying anything else that might provoke him. She saw a figure moving toward them using the live oaks as cover out of her peripheral vision. Zander?

“Now that you’re here, I have to figure out what to do with you both,” Elijah said.

She needed to distract him so Zander could get closer. “My sister trusted you. She thought you were a friend. Why would you do this to her?”

His laugh was almost a cackle. “Your sister looks out for number one. Just like I do. She, of all people, would understand me putting myself first.”

“She wouldn’t hurt a flea and you know it.”

“Tell that to Mrs. Brasseux,” he quipped. “After all, Jenn was sleeping with her husband.”

Was her sister having an affair with a married man? Was that the reason she’d kept her new man’s identity a secret?

“Take me to her. Please,” Jessica begged, trying to process that last bit of information.

“He can’t,” Tyler finally spoke up. “He isn’t the one calling the shots.”

“That’s not your concern. And that goes for both of you,” Elijah shot back defensively. His lips thinned. His gaze narrowed. Tyler clearly had struck a nerve.

“Then tell me who is,” Jessica said. Her sister had always spoken highly of Elijah. “If you cared about my sister at all you wouldn’t do this.”

“Move.” Elijah motioned toward the porch steps.

Tyler urged her forward, moving his hand low on her back.

“Hands up where I can see them,” Elijah said.

“Where are the Brasseuxs?” Tyler asked.

“Let’s just say they’re preoccupied at the moment. Now move.” Elijah gestured with the barrel of his gun. He was taking them to his El Camino. There was no trunk, thankfully, because Jessica was claustrophobic and she feared she’d have a panic attack.

As they rounded the corner of the big house, she noticed there was another car parked in front of the El Camino, a white sedan. The El Camino had been blocking the second car from view. Jessica heard a click and the trunk automatically opened.

Jessica’s chest squeezed and the heavy air thinned as she thought about climbing into that trunk. No way would her claustrophobia allow her to go inside there willingly. Her body began to shake. If she could keep her cool, Elijah might take her right to Jenn. Then again, he could just take them into the bayou, shoot them and dump their bodies into the swamp for the alligators to pick apart.

More than anything she wanted to glance backward to see if Zander was making progress toward them but she couldn’t risk giving him away.

Elijah made Jessica and Tyler walk in front of him, and he was giving them a wide enough berth to make it impossible for Tyler to disarm him. He sure thought like a criminal for someone who’d been parading around as a musician. If what Elijah had said was true and he had no idea where Jenn was, then Jessica and Tyler were in big trouble.

A struggle sounded behind them and a bullet split the air. Jessica instinctively ducked, but before she could get her bearings someone was on top of her and she was facedown on the concrete parking pad with a masculine body shielding her. Tyler’s body. And he had a calming presence.

“Stay low,” was all she heard him say before another shot fired. “Get behind the house as fast as you can. Don’t look back.”

Panic nearly closed her throat as the pressure of his body eased and she scrambled for cover. She couldn’t help but look back to see if Tyler or Zander had been shot. All she could see clearly was Tyler diving into the fray. There was blood on the concrete and her heart stuttered as she rounded the corner, looking for something she could use to help the guys. No way would she leave them alone to deal with Elijah if there was something she could do to help.

There was nothing around so she ran to the back porch and tried the door. Locked. Dammit.

Another shot was fired and she ran to the corner of the building to see what had happened. Before she could get a good visual, Tyler was helping Zander toward her as the El Camino sped off. Blood dripped from the arm dangling at Zander’s side and she rushed to help him. “What happened?”

Zander winced as he moved. “Bullet grazed my shoulder. I’ll be fine. I saw you two in trouble and had to help—the police wouldn’t have come in time.”

“We appreciate it.” Tyler helped Zander to the rear porch. “Where’s your cell?”

“Back pocket.” Zander eased to one side as Tyler fished out the phone.

“I’m calling for an ambulance. We’ll stick around until they get close and then we have to go. Her sister’s in danger and we can’t afford to lose any more time,” Tyler said as he pulled off his undershirt and tied it around Zander’s shoulder just above the wound while checking to make sure Elijah wasn’t circling back. “You’re going to be fine. Have the police check on the family inside the house, if anyone’s there.”

Zander nodded. “Don’t worry about me. Nothing but a scratch.”

Wasn’t that pretty much the same line all men gave? If the situation weren’t so dire, Jessica would laugh.

“Keys fell out of my pocket. Heard them drop over there somewhere.” Zander motioned toward a pool of blood. “Take the limo and get out of here.”

Tyler handed the cell to Zander, who explained that he’d had an altercation and needed help.

Jessica located the fanned-out keys. “Got ’em.”

“Then go,” Zander pressed after ending the call.

“Not until help arrives,” Tyler said.

“I’ll tell the cops that I ran into someone in town who asked me to drop him off here. I’ll give them the description of the man who drew a gun on you and Jessica. That way the police will be looking for him and not either of you.” Zander took his cell phone and wiped it down. “Can’t have your prints on here.”

“What will you tell them about your limo disappearing?” Tyler asked, thanking Zander.

“I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry.” Zander shooed them away as sirens sounded far in the distance. “I’m fine. Now go.”

“We’ll check on you later,” Tyler said, embracing Zander in a man-hug. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. We wouldn’t be alive without you.”

Jessica’s sister, on the other hand, might not have been so lucky.

Chapter Ten

“Do you think it’s possible what Elijah said is true?” Jessica asked. The Louisiana humidity made it difficult to breathe.

“That your sister was having an affair with Ashton?” Tyler navigated the limo onto the highway.

“She had a new man in her life and she refused to tell me who he was,” she said, tapping on the dashboard.

“Makes for a good story. Your sister is having an affair with a wealthy man. Tries to get him to leave his wife but he won’t. She steals his wife’s family heirloom for revenge,” he said.

“When you put it like that, it sounds like something on a TV crime show.”

“Exactly. And it sums everything up nicely except the part where your sister’s not a thief,” he said, and then glanced over at her. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

She hesitated. “Not really. I know my sister. But then I wouldn’t have believed that she was involved with a married man, and yet she is.”

“True.” There was no conviction in his voice. “She may not have known he was married when she met him.”

Good point. For all her social climbing, she was still a small-town girl at heart. A sophisticated liar could pull the wool over Jenn’s eyes.

“Also, in the last message she said not to believe what Milton would say about her. Maybe the same holds true for Elijah. I think we need to talk to your sister before we jump to any conclusions,” he said.

“What do you think the name Big Beau really means?” Jessica asked.

“He could’ve been throwing the name out to get a reaction from you,” Tyler said.

“A reaction from my sister,” she clarified. “Or so he thought at the time.”

“My bet is that Big Beau is an actual person,” Tyler said. “We’ll start there. The only other clue we have is the bayou.”

“I still don’t know if that’s significant.” She couldn’t help the desperation in her voice.

“Milton’s still out there somewhere, most likely looking for you,” he said. “It would help if we knew what your sister had been doing and where she’d been leading up to this. Does Jenn keep a diary or journal?”

“No. She’s not really the type to actually write anything down. Her cell phone is a different story. If we could find that then we’d get more of the picture of what’s going on. She and her cell are inseparable.” Jessica pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off a headache. “Where to next?”

“We need to find a good place to hide this limo and get back to our hotel to clean up and figure out our next move.” Tyler pulled a business card out of his pocket. He handed the card and his cell to Jessica, temporarily steering with his left hand.

Annabeth Malloy, the hotel manager?

“Call her number and put the phone on speaker,” he instructed.

A few seconds later the familiar voice was on the line.

“This is Tyler O’Brien—”

“Of course, Mr. O’Brien, how can I help you?”

“I’d like to enter through the service door. A society reporter’s been bothering my friend and I and we’d like to shake him.”

“No problem at all, sir,” she said. “I’ll make the arrangements and have someone waiting for you.”

“Excellent. Much appreciated,” he said. “There’s one more thing, I’d like my limo safely stored until I need it again.”

“Absolutely,” she said confidently.

“Much obliged, ma’am.”

Jessica got lost in her thoughts for the rest of the drive, rolling over the new information about her sister.

The service entrance was dead quiet and empty, not a soul in sight. The sticky humidity made Jessica want to shower all over again. Adrenaline had faded. She was tired and hungry. At least the air-conditioning in their suite evened out her temperature.

“I need to clean up.” She disappeared into the bathroom, not wanting the cowboy to see the tears brimming in her eyes. The past day and a half had been surreal and a very real fear engulfed her every time she thought about her sister. Some people believed in twin telepathy and there were moments when Jessica did, too. Instances like this one, when she was overwhelmed with fear for her sister and she was sure something bad was happening.

“If we put our heads together, we’ll figure out where your sister is,” Tyler reassured her as she stepped out of the bathroom in fresh clothes. This time, she’d opted for a simple T-shirt and cotton shorts with running shoes. Her hair was thrown up in a ponytail; it kept her neck cooler that way.

She nodded but didn’t say anything. What could she say? Her sister had never felt farther away.

“You could get away with calling yourself a college student dressed like that,” Tyler said in an obvious attempt to change the subject. He seemed to pick up on her mood. “LSU isn’t far and that look should help you blend in.”

“Thank you. I think.”

“It was meant as a compliment. Order whatever you want from room service. Would you mind asking them to send up a burger and a beer for me?”

“Not at all.” In fact, both sounded really good right now.

“Thanks. I’ll just be in there taking a cold shower.” He seemed to realize the implication in that last part and he cracked a dry smile. “For that reason, too, but I need to wash the blood off me.”

Jessica couldn’t help but smile. For a wealthy guy, he was the most down-to-earth man she’d met. The images of the type of men her sister had dated paraded around in her head. She imagined flashy suits and designer casual wear. This cowboy was pretty much the polar opposite. And he looked damn good in his jeans and boots, so much better than those superficial types.

Normally, she’d notice more about the handsome cowboy, but all she could really focus on right now was Jenn. Besides, her thoughts were only more confused about Tyler after the couple of kisses they’d shared.

Jessica absently dialed room service and ordered dinner. The sun was going down and they still had no answers. Questions swirled. All they knew for sure was that her sister was in trouble, so nothing new there.

Tyler joined her fifteen minutes later, wearing only a pair of jeans that sat low on his hips. His rippled chest was tanned and muscled. Working on a ranch sure as heck did a body good because he had a six pack below solid steel pecs.

“Food should be here soon,” she said, trying to force her eyes away from his chest. “And I’m not any closer to figuring out where my sister could be than I was this morning.”

The couch dipped under Tyler’s weight as he sat down next to her. She’d pulled a notepad and pen from on top of the nightstand and made a few scribbles on it. Mostly, the word
bayou
sat in the middle of the page and she’d circled it over and over again until it looked like one thick mass of wires.

“We just need one break. That’s all. And we’ll figure this whole thing out. What else do you remember about coming here with her?” the handsome cowboy asked, and no matter how many hours she spent with him she’d never get used to the sound of his voice. Its deep timbre stirred her somewhere low in her belly, and the flutter of a thousand butterflies rippled through her every time he spoke.

“She used to order in a lot when I visited. I didn’t really think about it much before but I guess she didn’t want to be seen with me.” She wrote down the words
Big Beau.
“Do you think Elijah was just trying to throw us off?”

Tyler shrugged as the phone rang. They both looked at the land line.

“Could be the front desk,” Jessica offered.

Tyler answered. “It’s Zander. He’s calling from a phone at the ER.”

She heard very little from Tyler’s end, which meant that Zander was doing all the talking. The instant Tyler hung up, she asked, “Is he okay?”

“He’s doing fine. Said one of the bullets tapped his shoulder and the other grazed the inside of his arm and his ribs, missing anything that could cause serious damage. The doctor said he’s very lucky.” Tyler walked over to the couch and she couldn’t help but admire his athletic grace. Basic biology had her evaluating whether or not he could protect her, given that they were in such dangerous circumstances. “They’re treating and releasing him.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” She sighed with relief.

A knock sounded at the door. Tyler shot her a warning look. “Get out of sight until I give you a green light.”

She moved into the bedroom and stood behind the door where she could see through the crack.

Tyler pulled a handgun, she wasn’t sure what kind, and held it behind his leg as he opened the door with his left hand.

“Come on in,” he said to the room service attendant.

The attendant wore a white sous chef shirt and black pants. He looked legit as he wheeled in the tray. “Would you like me to set up at the table, Mr. O’Brien?”

“No, thanks. Just leave it there.” Tyler pointed next to the table. “I can take it from here.”

He pulled a few bills from his pocket and tipped the attendant without revealing what was in his other hand. “Smells fantastic.”

“Enjoy, sir,” the waiter said with a smile.

Tyler closed the door behind him. “It’s safe.”

Even though the waiter was gone and the coast was clear, the tension stayed in the room. Jessica hated living like this, afraid of her own shadow. But her identity had been revealed and soon everyone would know that Jenn had a twin sister.

“What are you thinking about?” Tyler placed the gun securely in the side table.

“How they’re not going to stop until they find me. They know about me now. Our advantage is gone.”

He motioned for her to sit at the table, so she did. He put a plate in front of her and pulled off the metal cover to reveal the best-looking hamburger she’d ever seen. Or maybe she was just that hungry.

“I also ordered a fresh pot of coffee,” she said. After that adrenaline rush, the beer didn’t sound as good as coffee. She didn’t want anything to dull her senses and she was a lightweight when it came to alcohol.

He must’ve been thinking the same thing because he set the beers aside in an ice bucket. “I’ll keep these cold for later.”

By the time she took the last bite of her burger, Jessica had downed a bottled water. She poured a cup of coffee afterward. “Want one?”

“I can get it.”

“I’m right here.” She cocked her eyebrow. She hadn’t noticed it with all the drama going on around them, but this cowboy seemed to prefer to do everything for himself. “I don’t mind. Really.”

“Don’t go to any trouble.”

“It’s none at all.” She poured a cup and handed it to him. “See how easy that was?”

He chuckled. “My parents taught us to be independent. We grew up working the ranch right alongside Pop. Mom spoiled us but pretended not to. She always said we were blessed and not spoiled. Either way she managed to bring up six independent boys. Although,” he smiled, “some might call us stubborn.”

“Sounds like you grew up in an ideal family.”

“We did. And it ruined us. We all have a difficult time letting others in,” he admitted and there was something dark in his eyes now. Regret?

“Doesn’t sound like such a bad thing. The situation I’m in now reminds me to be even more careful who I trust,” she said. “Even someone with the best of intentions can hurt you.”

* * *

“T
RUST
CAN
BE
a good thing. When it’s earned.” Had he trusted Lyndsey too soon? He’d believed that she knew him and understood his priorities. And then she’d demanded that he walk away from the ranch forever if he wanted a future with her. She’d said their life was in Denver, where her family lived. Needless to say, being given an ultimatum had gone over about as well as filthy ranch clothes in church and begged the question, why would she demand something like that if she really knew him?

She’d walked out and the nagging question remained: How could he have loved someone he knew so little? Even so, when Lyndsey had left he didn’t think he’d ever breathe again. Surprisingly, his body functioned even when he wasn’t sure he wanted it to. Losing his parents at the same time had been a double blow.

Speaking of family, when this ordeal was over and Jessica was safe, he needed to touch base with his brothers and Tommy about the investigation back home. It was easy to set aside his pain and focus on someone else’s problem for a change. Tyler had focused on his own until he’d gone numb. All he could think about was the note Lyndsey had left behind.
Enjoy your life and try to put someone else first for a change.

For the past few weeks he’d tried to figure out if there was any truth to what she’d said. He’d dated around since Lyndsey, but it had felt like he was ticking a box, making sure he was playing the field.

Tyler could be honest enough with himself to admit that Lyndsey hadn’t been completely first in his life. He chalked it up to their differences. She was outgoing and liked to hang out with friends at the bar after a long day. She was flirtatious and he’d almost convinced himself that he didn’t mind. He was the complete opposite. Tyler kept more to himself, preferring to trust only those who shared the O’Brien last name.

And after a long day, he wanted a good meal and a cold beer under the stars. If there was a woman involved, then he could think of other things he wanted to do, as well...things that involved both of them naked.

There was something special about looking up at the night sky in Texas, the wide expanse of midnight blue with bright specks.

Lyndsey was most likely right. He probably needed to make more of an effort with people. He was good at negotiating and analyzing all sides of a business deal to come up with a fair solution and that’s why he was in charge of handling contracts and disputes. He had managed a temporary truce between Aunt Bea and Uncle Ezra recently and that had taken some serious skills. But dealing with emotions, especially his own, wasn’t his strong suit.

Enough focus on the things he didn’t have the first idea how to fix.

Tyler needed to straighten out his thoughts about the current situation. “Let’s go back to the beginning and think this through. Milton was one of your sister’s exes, right?”

“Yes. She dated him for a short while last year but they stayed friends after, or so she thought.” Jessica sat on the couch and folded her right leg underneath her bottom. She sipped her coffee and set the mug on the table.