Double Cross (14 page)

8:00 P.M. SATURDAY

Daniel hesitated leaving his grandparents tonight. Gramps had suffered a few bruises, and his mind hadn’t surfaced to the present. Gran wouldn’t take her eyes off him. Two police officers were on duty per shift this weekend as well as two nurses. The back gate had a new lock, and only Gran and Daniel knew the key’s hiding place. They’d be fine. Had to trust God with all this.

The one positive for his grandparents was their deaths would have to look natural. He didn’t want to think about Gramps getting into the woman’s car at the cemetery.

“Go home and get some rest,” Gran said. “We’re good, and I have my S&W with me all the time.”

“I’ll record tomorrow’s church service. Have an errand to run in the morning, so it will be midafternoon before I arrive. I’ll call on the hour once you’re up.”

“Yes, Father Superior.”

“Humor me. Makes me feel good.”

Their doorbell rang. With the problem earlier today, Daniel wasn’t taking any chances. Picking up his gun from the kitchen table, he ventured into the foyer. The officers all used the side door, so who’d gotten past them tonight?

Morton Wilmington, dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. Light-brown hair touched his collar. Hands in front of him.

Daniel snapped on the porch light and opened the door. An
officer waved from his car at the curb. Obviously he didn’t think the man before him posed a threat. They’d have a talk later.

Wilmington stuck out his hand. “Daniel, I realize today’s been hectic, but I’d like a word with you.”

Daniel eyed him. Not a trace of malice on the man’s face, but charm and charisma often masked motive. Maybe Wilmington had no conscience. Daniel shook his hand and checked for any padded pockets indicating a weapon. “Are you packing?”

“It’s in my car. Illegal, but some habits are hard to break.”

Was this a twist of honesty? “You know I could arrest you for that.”

Wilmington chuckled. “But you won’t because I’m working to help end the elderly scam.”

Irritation dug into him. “What can I do for you, Mr. Wilmington?”

“I’d like to talk to you privately.”

“More of our conversation today?”

He nodded.

“Is Laurel aware of this visit?”

“No.” Wilmington’s voice deepened. “She’s familiar with my unpredictable behavior.”

Great. A dose of baseless jealousy poured through him. Laurel hadn’t chosen Wilmington
 
—her undercover work made the alliance. “Okay. We can do this outside.”

“Can’t blame you. My reputation precedes me.”

Daniel joined him on the front porch, and they sat in a pair of rockers.

“Real comfortable. Homey.” Wilmington looked relaxed, as if he belonged there. “Beautiful home. Looks like your grandparents have an acre here.”

“Yes.”

“Nice night.”

“For what?”

Wilmington chuckled. “Suspicious, aren’t you?”

“Can you blame me?”

“Not at all.”

First forthright thing he’d heard since Wilmington arrived. “I’d like to know who’s behind the elderly scam.”

“You could have offered me an iced tea.”

“My grandmother’s better at hospitality.”

“I see.” He rocked a few more seconds. “You’ve figured out that Laurel and I are working undercover in the scam case.”

Confirmation. “Thought so. Not sure it’s believable.”

“It will be after tomorrow night.”

“A name?”

Wilmington glanced into the night. “I prayed about this. Sure hope I heard right.”

Faith had to be shown, not spoken like a cliché. “I’m listening.”

“The FBI sprang me to help end the elderly scam. I know the person in charge from a long time ago. I needed an agent to work with me, and we worked out Laurel’s dismissal from the FBI.”

“Why would anyone swallow that, considering your past with Laurel?”

“This man saved my life. I owe him.”

“He’d never think you’d betray him?”

“Not at all.”

“You’re trading an old friend for life outside prison.”

“Not exactly. He’s breaking the law and killing people. My faith doesn’t support that.”

“Does he have a record?”

“No. Nothing to even bring him in for questioning.”

“Where does that put me?”

“I’d like to hire you as a bodyguard.”

Daniel shook his head. “They’d recognize me.”

“Not if you wore a disguise.”

He’d gone undercover a few times. Knew how it was done. “I’d need the FBI’s approval. And Laurel’s.”

Wilmington leaned forward. “Despite what you think, I’m a changed man. I’ll cooperate with any law enforcement. I want the days ahead of me to speak more than the ones I left in prison.”

“Tell me why you’re really here.”

Wilmington stared at the street and waved at the officer, who was observing from a distance. “The best thing I can do to prove my case is help the FBI.”

“Did your crusade begin at your release?”

“Not exactly. Geoff Cayden visited me in prison. Wanted to go into business together.”

Pieces were beginning to fit with what he’d gathered from Laurel. “So you know how the scam works?”

“Cayden may look at me as his old Army bud, but he’s not about to reveal the whole operation.”

Daniel couldn’t argue with that. “If this new position is agreeable with the FBI, when would I start?”

“Early next week.” Wilmington stopped rocking and studied him. “I know your trust isn’t there. Can’t blame you. When you realize the life forward means more to God than the past, then what you do doesn’t have to make sense.”

Daniel heard the sincerity, but those skills could be learned. He wouldn’t be anyone’s marionette. He’d seen too much of that in his line of work. “Show me your faith.”

“I will.”

“Where are your bodyguards?”

He gestured into the darkness. “They’re here.”

“Do you trust all of them?”

“Depends on the day. Are you reliable, Daniel?”

“My grandmother told me something when I complained about her driving. She said, ‘If you can’t trust me, trust God.’”

“Fair enough.” Wilmington stood and stuck out his hand. “I’ll have someone from the FBI contact you.”

9:30 A.M. SUNDAY

Daniel had a crucial task, and the nearly three-hour drive to a prison in Gatesville gave him miles to think. The urgency to see the woman who’d given birth to him and get out what he needed to say pounded against his brain. He’d put off the task for too many years, a mission of sorts to clear his mind and heart. Months ago, without telling anyone, he requested his name be added to her visitors’ list. Even when the permission was approved, he failed to follow through. Didn’t have the guts to see her until now. How many times had he judged others for not facing what they feared most?

Strange how protecting his grandparents and potentially working with Laurel and Wilmington pushed him to see his mother. In many ways, the urgency made little sense. Yet he felt God telling him to make the journey. In another hour he’d be at Gatesville. He’d rather face the scammers without a weapon.

After his mother’s many years of street living and a meth addiction, Daniel wasn’t sure he’d recognize her. Amazing he hadn’t been born with a weakness for alcohol or drugs. He stayed away from both just in case.

The only photo of the two of them was taken on his first birthday. Back then she’d had huge brown eyes and long dark-brown hair. A beauty, as Gramps had said, with a smile that melted ice. Daniel had been told he looked like her.

How many times had he given the speech about choices, thinking of all the wrong ones his parents had made? He used to teach Sunday school for eighth grade boys when Gran and Gramps were in better health, and he played the good role model to the hilt. What a self-righteous hypocrite. He couldn’t forgive his own mother.

How often had Gramps said that if Daniel couldn’t forgive her, the hatred would eventually consume him? His inability to trust a woman stemmed from those emotions. What kind of woman chose meth over her husband and child? Daniel’s attitude toward her was not one of honor or respect. Laurel’s face appeared in his mind. She’d waltzed into his life, stirring a longing that scared him, but without a cleansing of his charcoal heart, he’d soon push her away. And botch up the proposed undercover work.

In a way, he hoped his mother refused to see him. Sure would make the day easier to manage. He could shake his head and claim he tried reconciliation.

Once at the prison and out of his truck, he studied the surroundings: cold and lonely. He grasped the door handle of the women’s prison unit and hesitated. Gramps called indecision a wrestling of the spirit. Daniel swallowed what he termed the “little-boy fear of rejection” and waited his turn at the counter. He completed the visitor form and prayed for guts. The conversation he’d rehearsed earlier seemed sorry. Canned.

Female inmates filed into the visitation area, looking as hard as the concrete walls. No matter their age, many had eyes that told the harsh story of mistakes, and the only regrets were those of being caught. One woman scanned the room while the others took seats in chairs at white painted picnic-style tables across from friends or relatives. Daniel caught her eye, and she stepped forward with a slight limp, an injury resulting from trying to outrun a police officer. How ironic.

His heart dropped to his toes. Brittle gray hair. Dull eyes. No teeth, a product of meth addiction. Sad. A waste of a life.

“Mom?” He moved closer, willing his feet to begin the communication.

She inhaled sharply. “Daniel,” she whispered. “You’re so grown-up, handsome. Married? Any children?”

“Not yet. Haven’t found a woman to put up with me yet.”

“Be picky.”

“Sit down so we can talk.” He surprised himself with kindness. “Thanks for seeing me.”

“I’m shocked you’d want to come.” She folded thin hands on the table. Veins pushed up through transparent skin like blue limbs from a withered tree. Not much older than fifty-five, yet one would guess a decade or more older.

“Should have done this a long time ago. I’m sorry I took so long.”

She narrowed her gaze. “To gloat?”

“Of course not.”

“Cop has meth mama doing time for murder.”

Her change in attitude didn’t surprise him. “No, to check on you.”

“I don’t need you. Never did. That’s why I dumped your sorry
 
—”

Daniel waved his hand in front of her face. So much he could say about her behavior. But lowering his standards to look like he had all the answers didn’t solve a thing. Respect was something she never saw, and he could offer it. But he didn’t want to. He wanted to walk away. “I’m not here to argue.”

“Then why?”

She jutted her jaw, a stubborn response he’d seen many times from the women he arrested. All scared little girls covering up their insecurities, and this was his mother. She’d toss his compassion back with words meant to slice him raw.

“I came to say I forgive you.”

For a moment, her eyes softened. Then the look threw fiery daggers. “Your grandparents put you up to this. Pious freaks. Always turned their noses up at me and Jimmy. You’re a Bible-thumper too, aren’t you? Get out of here, you no-good
 
—”

Daniel tensed as the curses flew from her mouth. Old issues surfaced. Hurting. Slamming into his heart with torment. The years he questioned why. Not anymore. “They have no idea I’m here or applied for visitation. No one sent me. I’m a grown man.”

A guard approached them. “Keep your voice down, or you’ll be escorted back to your cell.”

She smirked and sat back in the plastic chair. “Those tougher than you have tried to convert me, Danny boy. Never worked. The only thing I ever needed to lean on is the next high. If you can’t bring me something to help me forget the hand I’ve been dealt, I don’t need you.”

All these years Daniel had harbored guilt for not being good enough. But now the truth calmed him. He pitied the woman before him, a woman battered by her own choices. He’d been dealt the ace
 
—been blessed by two people who believed they’d failed as parents the first time around.

“I forgive you, Mom, for killing my father and abandoning me. But I thank you for allowing Gran and Gramps to raise me.”

She slammed the tabletop with her fist. “You sound like a twelve-year-old kid instead of a man.”

“My idea of a man and yours aren’t the same. If you change your mind about wanting to see me, I can arrange another visit. I’d like for us to be friends, but the decision is yours.”

“Don’t ever come here again. You disgusting piece
 
—”

He walked out the way he came in. The burden had lifted, but sadness for his mother brought a few unbidden tears.

3:46 P.M. SUNDAY

Hours later, Daniel joined his grandparents in the living room. Gramps had entertained them with Scott Joplin while Gran danced. Now they chatted, Gramps sneaking a Snickers and Gran knitting and pretending not to see.

“I visited Mom today,” he said.

Gran dropped her knitting. “You did what?”

“I saw her, talked to her.”

Gramps shuffled to his feet and headed to the kitchen.

“Earl, where are you going? Our grandson has just made an incredible announcement and you leave the room. Haven’t I taught you better than that?”

Daniel swallowed a chuckle at her exasperation, guessing what Gramps had in mind.

“I’m breaking into the sparkling grape juice.” Glasses rattled in the kitchen. “This is cause for a celebration.”

“You haven’t heard what happened.” She wiggled her shoulders. “I’d better help him before he breaks one of my crystal glasses.” She glared at Daniel. “Don’t say a word until we’re all back in here together.”

“Not a word until I have my sparkling grape juice.”

A few minutes later, the three sat in the living room. “A toast,” Daniel said. “For two people who raised me with morals and a respect for God and country.”

Gran swiped at her eye. “Thank you, dear boy. But you were easy. Much easier than your father.”

“Amen to that,” Gramps said. “Tell us everything. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Daniel told them about his actions months ago and believing today was the right day to visit her. Gran winked. No doubt she saw through what he didn’t say: Laurel. He’d not confess his deep need to have a clear conscience. He explained how Mom looked and reacted.

“You’re the man.” Gramps slapped his knee. “You forgave her. That makes you ten feet tall.”

“I expected this music from heaven or a ‘Well done’ booming.” Daniel took a long drink of grape juice. “Better than those illusions, I simply feel good
 
—like I did a five-mile run and took a long shower.”

“And changed your clothes.” Gramps grinned.

“Mercy, forgiveness is healing,” Gran said. “Let’s finish the bottle. I think I’ll write my poor daughter-in-law a letter, see if she’d like a visit.”

Daniel raised his glass and toasted them. Today proved to him how much he loved his grandparents. If protecting them meant working alongside a criminal, then he’d do it.