Endangered: A Delecoeur Mystery #1 (12 page)

Asa
was right, Tess
conceded. She was where she was now because of her own efforts. At twenty-nine
years old, she had built a modest private practice in a town in which lawyers
were a dime a dozen. She felt she should be proud, but pride wasn’t what she
felt when her past came to mind. She gulped down the last bit of her water and
immediately regretted it.

“Looks like you need a refill, Ms.
Madison,”
Asa
said. “Jack, why don’t you escort her to
the bar and get her something?”

“Ms. Madison,” Jack said, extending his
hand to lead the way.

“I just need to sit down a minute. Don't
let me disrupt your meeting,” she said, excusing herself. She hadn't gone two
steps when she felt a hand on her lower back. The zing in her blood let her
know it was Jack. She felt him lean toward her, his breath tantalizingly warm
on her ear.

“You don't really think I'm going to let
you go now that we're together again?”

T
ess moved away from the group and Jack, hoping for respite from
the tension. She wasn't sure which was more irritating, the hostility of the
Worthingtons
or the sensually charged energy emanating from
Jack. Her nerves were unable to take any more of either.

She sat in a love seat near the fireplace,
shivering even though the warmth of the fire embraced her. She wondered what
accident or crime scene Daniel had run off to and how long he was going to be.
If he didn't call or come back soon, she'd have to ask Tom to drive her home or
get a taxi.

“I could drive you home.”

She looked up to find Jack handing her a
glass of water. He'd replaced his champagne with something more potent looking.

“What?”               

“You don't want to be here anymore than
I do,” he said. “I could drive you home and solve both our problems.”

She took the glass, but didn't dare take
a sip. “I should wait for Daniel.”

Disappointment he didn't try to hide
showed on his face. She wondered if it was because she wasn't giving him an
excuse to leave or because she was waiting for another man. She shook her head
at the latter thought. The Jack Valentines of the world weren't attracted to
the Tess
Madisons
. She knew that for a fact.

“So you're seeing
Asa's
nephew?” Jack sat next to her on the love seat, crossing one ankle over his
knee.

She nodded.

“Is he anything like them?” Jack
gestured to the group bickering in the middle of the room.

“No. He's more like his mother,
Asa's
sister. He shuns the lifestyle of his uncle.”

“Like you did with your family. I guess
that makes him perfect for you.”

He was, she thought, except for the fact
that she didn't love him.

“I hope he's good to you. You deserve
that, Tess. You always did.”

She thought so too. That's why she'd
left Washington D.C. and moved back to Jefferson Tavern. She had suffered too
much betrayal and rejection to stay. In Jefferson Tavern she'd built a new
life, a new career, and didn't appreciate having reminders like Jack invading
her world.

“He is,” Tess said. She knew Jack
wouldn't be serious about a woman like her, but on the off chance he was
thinking of taking her up on a long ago offer, she decided it was better that
he think that Daniel was her boyfriend. She hoped that Jack wouldn't share this
news with Daniel. It was hard enough to keep the relationship at the
friendship-only level as it was. Daniel didn't need anything to suggest that it
could be more.

“How's Ava?” Tess asked.

Jack grinned. “You've kept tabs on me.”

“Not really. The tabloids were hard to
avoid.” In truth, she had kept tabs for a short time. Until he started dating
the Hollywood starlet Ava Dumont. Tess suspected her real name was something
like Jane
Dinklemeyer
, but of course, a Hollywood
star needed a fancier name. And it fit her. Ava was tall, curvy and gorgeous.

“That ended awhile ago.” He watched the
bronze-colored drink as he swirled it in his glass.

“So who is it now?”

He laughed, but there was a sadness
behind it. “No one now.”

“Losing your touch with age?”

“No.” He looked at her then. “Just being
more discriminating.”

Tess didn't want to know what he meant
by that, so she didn't ask. They sat in silence, Jack returning his gaze to his
drink. Finally he said, ”
Asa
is right. If I do
decide to join him on whatever business venture he has planned, I'll need a
lawyer in town.”

“I thought you weren't going to do
business with
Asa
.”

Jack shrugged. “I may change my mind.”

“I'm sure one of your army of lawyers
would be more than able to make the trip here. We aren't that far from D.C.”

“Probably. But you don't seem to have
trouble standing up to
Asa
. And with your connection
to Tom and
Asa
that could give me an advantage too.
You know a bit of how they think and work.”

“What are you working on?” Tess asked,
trying not to sound too interested. The truth was that while her practice was surviving,
she really could use the money and clout Jack's business could bring her.

“I don't know.”

She looked at him in confusion. “I
thought
Asa
said you were working on a joint
project.”

“That’s what he keeps saying, but so far
he hasn't given any details. I don’t like it. He's been checking up on me.” He
swallowed the remaining contents of his glass.

“Don’t you usually investigate each
other before entering into a partnership?” Tess asked.

“Yes. But
Asa’s
latest digging is deeper. More personal. It feels underhanded.”

“Sounds like paranoia.”

“Maybe.” Jack looked directly at Tess.
“I do well in business, but I don’t have the benefit of thirty years’
experience in the tactical aspects like
Asa
does.
What I do have are my wits and a healthy amount of paranoia. I don’t trust
Asa
and to be honest, my intention tonight is to find out
why he’s been poking around in my past, not to learn about a business venture.
But if I have to do business with him to find out what's going on, I'll at
least hear him out. Which means I could use a good lawyer.”

Tess nodded. She knew of
Asa’s
reputation in business and figured Jack’s caution was
justified. On the other hand, Jack was no babe in the woods when it came to
business. He'd built an empire in computer security and technology, and had
vast real estate holdings. His offer felt like a handout, but he was kind
enough to veil it in need.

“I guess you'll find out this evening.
If you do decide to partner with him, you can let me know.”

“Fair enough.”

“You bastard!” The shrill voice
interrupted the relative calm in the room. “What are you up to now?”

“Jesus, boy, did you invite her?”
Asa
said, turning on Philip.

“He didn't invite me,” the woman said as
she charged towards
Asa
, swinging her long silver
hair over her shoulder. “But he told me you were having a business meeting. I
may not be your wife anymore
Asa
, thank the Lord, but
I
am
on the board.”

“This doesn't concern you, Lauren. Leave
before I have Walter escort you out.”

Walter looked up from his place behind
the bar. He picked up a tray and left the parlor. Tess couldn't blame him.
Lauren Worthington was as much of a force as
Asa
.

“If it's business, it does concern me.”

“Tonight is for family only.”

Lauren scanned the room. “Family my ass.
They aren't family,” she said pointing towards Jack and Tess.

“I wasn't aware there would be
entertainment.” Jack whispered to Tess.

“It makes you think twice about doing
business with them.”

He nodded.

“I'm not going to ask again, Lauren. I
will
have you removed even if I have to do it myself.”

“What's going on?” Senator Worthington
said, as he entered the room in the distinguished way that older southern
gentlemen did. “Ah, Lauren, you're looking lovely this evening. I didn't
realize you'd be here.”

“She's not staying,”
Asa
said.

“Oh, well...”

“Tell me what you're up to,
Asa
. You know I'll find out eventually and then I'll make
your life miserable,” Lauren promised.

“You've already made my life
unbearable.”
Asa
moved towards her.

“This could get bad.” Tess said.

“My money is on Lauren,” Jack said.

Tess snorted. “I don't think I'll take
that bet.”

“
Asa
. Lauren.”
Tom moved between both of them. “You're making a scene.”

“He's making a scene,” Lauren said,
pushing Tom aside.

“You'll see that Helen isn't here.” Tom
made a second attempt to get between the couple. “Maybe you can stop by the
house and visit with her.”

“Just because she doesn't care about her
inheritance, doesn't mean I don't.”

“You don't get an inheritance,”
Asa
said tightly as he shouldered Tom out of the way.

“Philip does and I intend to protect
him.”

“You are well planned for,” Tom said.

Asa
grabbed
Lauren's arm, jerking her towards the door.

Jack stood. “
Asa
!”

“Get your hands off me.” She yanked her
arm from his grasp. “You're a bastard!”

“You've told me enough times. Now get
out!”

The two stood, eyes glaring. The guests
held their breath as they waited to see who would make the next move and what
it would be. Tess hoped it didn't involve bloodshed. Her stomach was already
uneasy.

“This isn't over,” Lauren said, throwing
her scarf around her neck. “It's not over.”

“It will be over soon enough,”
Asa
said under his breath.

Lauren ignored the remark. She spun away
from
Asa
, her scowl replaced by a shallow smile. “Kiss
kiss, kids,” she said towards Philip and Shelby. Then with one last glare
towards
Asa
, she turned and left. The room stayed
quiet until the front door slammed shut.

“I apologize for that outburst,”
Asa
said, as he headed to the bar and pulled out a bottle
of amber-colored liquor.

Tess noticed that
Asa's
near brawl with Lauren had cost him. His face was red and sweat beaded around
his hairline. Downing a single shot of his drink, he took out a handkerchief
and wiped the wetness from his brow.

“Get yourself a drink,”
Asa
said to his father as he headed towards the foyer.
“I'll find out how much longer it will be until we eat.”

“Nice to see you again Senator,” Tess
said when he greeted her. She stood to shake his hand and felt the world tilt.

“You too, young lady. You're the one
who's captured my grandson's eye?”

Tess took a deep breath. “Yes sir.”

The Senator looked at Jack and then to
Tom. “Where is Daniel?”

“He was called to work. This is Jack
Valentine. Jack, this is Senator Arthur Worthington.”

“Senator,” Jack said as he shook his
hand.

The Senator studied Jack. “You're the
one who helped catch the Army hacker at the Pentagon a couple years ago.”

“My company, yes sir,” Jack said.

“Quite a feat. Your country owes you a
debt of gratitude.”

Jack shook his head. “He would have been
caught sooner or later. He wasn't that good.”

“Modesty. It makes me wonder why you're
doing business with my son.”

Tess couldn't tell if the Senator was
joking or not. Apparently neither could Jack as he didn't respond.

“Are you alright young lady? You're
looking a little green around the gills,” the Senator said.

Tess did her best to smile and assure
him all was well, but failed. “Actually, I'm not feeling well. Tom, do you
think you can drive me home?”

She felt Jack stiffen next to her. “I
told you I could drive…”

“No one should be out now,” Walter said
as he picked up glasses around the room.”Freezing rain.”

Tess sank into the love seat. How did
worse get to doomed?

“Dinner is ready.”
Asa
stood at the parlor door. He'd regrouped and looked every bit like the man of
the mansion.

Tess' breath hitched as the mention of
food sent a burning sensation from the pit of her stomach to her chest. She
pressed her hand over her mouth, willing her water and her lunch to stay down.