Magic Moment (26 page)

“Not exactly Laura. We had people watching the warehouse,” Morgan said.

Saunders reported on Laura’s comings and goings at the warehouse the day after he had questioned her. Surveillance agents had observed her getting into a car, close to six in the evening with a box Dick Donovan had handed her. Those agents, interested in its contents, hadn’t been authorized to leave the warehouse. They called for backup agents to grab Laura and the box when she reached her condo. She never arrived.

“We didn’t know what happened to her.” Saunders turned to Ned. “To answer your question, Counselor, we didn’t know if we had a suspect in Laura, a victim, a witness, or what?”

“Our interest in Laura piqued only when we saw her with the box,” Morgan said.

Chase felt his blood pressure rising. “Your intimidation, Saunders, raised my father’s antennas. The box contained her personal belongings. Simple woman’s crap she kept in her desk, like her makeup case and toothbrush. Let me tell you what involving Laura in your bullshit cost her.”

Leaving nothing out, his righteous anger in full force, Chase detailed the scene on his boat. Morgan’s compassion was immediate. To Chase’s surprise, the generally detached Saunders seemed sensitive to Laura’s ordeal.

“I didn’t know what I was dealing with.” Chase hesitated, needing to go on, but hating to remember. “I was afraid those guys were returning with back up. I concentrated on convincing Laura she was safe with me. She was so scared. I wanted to get out of Magic Lake.”

Morgan agreed the boat was a smart choice rather than the car.
Madre
was more difficult to follow. “Why didn’t you call the police? Take her to a hospital?” the detective asked.

Chase explained Laura’s refusal.

Shaking his head, Morgan exhaled deeply. “My years on the street, I saw too many sexual assault victims. Often a victim’s negative response to police or medical treatment is her denial the assault happened,” he explained. “She just wants the whole thing to go away.”

Chase clung to Morgan’s words. Wanting the whole thing to go away, the detective had used Laura’s exact words.

“When she didn’t show up at her condo, we passed the word to our field offices. Person of interest with information,” Saunders said.

“How did you find us in Beach Bay?” Chase asked.

Saunders explained a surveillance photo of Laura walking into the warehouse had been circulated. “Funny thing about your wife,” he said, his tone easy. “She’s one fine looking woman and people remember her. An agent with the Baltimore office was looking to buy a boat at the marina where you docked.”

“Why didn’t your agent identify himself and approach us? Instead of hiding in the shadows like a stalker?” Chase asked.

“When he called in, there was a discussion about getting a warrant for your boat. The real life system moves much slower than a one hour TV show.” Saunders sat back in the booth. “Our agent saw your boat leave, and there wasn’t much we could do.”

“All wasn’t lost,” Morgan added. “We had enough to get a sign-off to tap your father’s office phone. Daniels, wise bastard, uses a cell phone. Those can’t be tapped.”

He wasn’t sharing that he and Laura had already been intimate, but Chase revealed their decision to marry.

“It took me a while to admit it, but I know my father and Oliver Daniels are involved in God only knows what.” Chase drained his mug. “I just had to shield Laura. No matter who my father’s working with, he’ll protect his grandchild. Funny how things work out. Laura and I love each other, and we’re excited about our baby boy. He’s due in about eight weeks.”

“Chase, do you still have the evidence? The knife? Laura’s clothes?” Morgan asked.

Chase nodded, explaining how he bagged everything per police procedure. He signaled the waitress. “Laura and I don’t talk about it, but the more time that passes, I want those bastards to pay.” He gave Morgan the abductors’ names.

The waitress arrived carrying a freshly brewed pot of coffee. Conversation stopped until each man had a new cup of the hot, steaming liquid.

“Those names you mentioned haven’t showed up in the investigation. That doesn’t mean they’re total innocents,” Morgan said.

“It’s unlikely Daniels recruited two novices to commit murder,” Saunders agreed.

Chase moved the conversation to Dick Donovan’s visit. “After the baby’s born, they’re going after Laura,” he said.

“So I’m hearing you suspect illegal drugs are being shipped to the Donovan warehouse,” Ned, ever the attorney, summarized. “This Daniels character picks up the merchandise with his legit produce order. Then sells the drugs from his truck like peaches, two pounds for a dollar.”

Saunders nodded, and the group was silent, concentrating on their coffee.

“I was always convinced Laura saw something that freaked my father and Daniels,” Chase said. He exhaled a deep breath, and told the men of his aunt’s old photo album.

“Alan Blair, the judge,” Ned gasped.

“Hunter’s no novice to drugs,” Morgan said. “If not for a search warrant error and his megabucks attorney, his ass would still be in jail. Leech lawyers.” He turned to Ned sheepishly. “No offense, counselor.”

Ned’s reply was a civil smile.

Morgan pointed out the evidence still needed.

“That about it, Saunders?” Morgan turned to the agent, seeking confirmation. Saunders stared forward, his expression blank. “Saunders, you listening to me?”

The agent spoke directly to Chase. “Because you father had handed Laura that box she carried, I wanted whatever was in it. I went to a judge for a warrant to search her condo, and he laughed me out of his chambers,” Saunders said. “Granted, the warrant was ambiguous, but I’ve gotten them approved for less. The judge who shot me down was Alan Blair.”

• • •

Laura sat at the kitchen table, staring absentmindedly into mint tea that had grown cold twenty minutes ago. It was Tuesday evening, Lonnie’s book club night. Chase had gone to Annapolis early that morning. He had missed dinner, calling and insisting the women have their meal without him. He claimed difficulty finding a compressor for
Madre
.

His wife didn’t believe him.

She washed out the teacup, then shuffled up the stairs. Her heaving belly now a hindrance, slowing her movements more each day. She was anxious for the baby’s arrival for many reasons. Most notably there was more joy in holding him in her arms, than his weight pressing on her lower back.

Having changed into a new blue terry nightshirt, Laura was brushing her teeth when she heard Chase walk through the front door.

“Laura, honey,” he called.

“Upstairs.” After a quick rinse to her toothbrush, she shuffled down the hall. “Did you have dinner?” She watched him climb the steps. When he reached the top, she walked into their bedroom.

“I passed a drive-by and got a burger,” he said, joining her in the bedroom.

“Not exactly dinner.”

“It’ll do. You look good.” He eyed her with playful glee. “How about a hug and a kiss for dessert?”

Chase’s arms were around her, his hands moving over her back. She kissed him quickly.

“What took you so long?” she asked.

His lips brushed her cheek, then he disentangled himself from her. “I called you, honey. I had to try several places before I found the right size compressor,” he said, his eyes not meeting hers.

She lifted an eyebrow skeptically. “Where’s this new compressor?”

He turned his back, shrugging off his denim jacket. “I wasn’t bringing it into the house. I dropped it off at the boat.”

He hung his jacket in the closet. Laura pursed her lips. Chase never hung his clothes. He always tossed them over the chair, even when they had been on the boat, and Laura hung the garments. She didn’t mind. His negligence with his clothes was one of those annoying husband traits a wife grew accustomed to.

Hanging his jacket allowed him to keep his back to her.

“Chase, look at me. Where were you? Tell me this instant.” Her words were sharper than she intended, but she piloted on irritation and fear.

He turned, a hand on each hip. “What’s with the tone?”

“What’s with the lie?”

“Who’s lying? I got a new compressor,” he insisted. “If you don’t believe me, get dressed and I’ll take you to see it.”

“Where did you go for this compressor? China?”

He turned away, his eyes clearly eluding hers. “What’s with the third degree? Your hormones out of whack today?”

“My hormones are fine.” Her wary eyes ran over him. They weren‘t going to have much of a marriage if he refused to be truthful with her. “I hate that you’re lying to me.”

He sighed, and turned back in her direction although his eyes remained preoccupied with the hardwood floors. “Laura, I’m … tired.” Exhaustion was clear in his voice; his demeanor aimed at pacifying her. “Let’s go to bed.” He paused, then added, “We‘ll talk in the morning.”

He was keeping something important from her. “I don’t want to go to bed.”

She barked, and Chase bit. “Look, I didn’t have the greatest day and can’t deal with your meltdown tonight!” he shouted. “Go have a fit somewhere else.”

His words spiked her anger. “You broke your promise,” she screeched. “You promised me you wouldn’t go to Philadelphia and confront your father. That’s where you were today. Now you’re lying. You’re always lying to me.”

Chase’s eyes narrowed. “Hey, hey, hey, what’s with the accusations? I wasn’t in Philadelphia.”

“Where were you?”

He inhaled, then exhaled deeply. “Laura, let it go.”

“If I’m wrong, tell me. Where were you today?” Her chin came up, demanding an answer.

“We’re not having a conversation while you’re in this temper.” His fingers raked his wavy hair. “I wasn’t looking forward to the discussion to begin with. It’ll wait until morning.”

Laura thought her heart would break. If not in Philadelphia, where had he been all day? Perhaps he had decided the marriage wasn‘t working out. “You’re preparing to divorce. You’re leaving me after the baby’s born. You don’t want to be with us, after all,” she concluded.

“Me? Divorce? Where the hell did this come from?” His eyes widened. “You’re the one who said you wanted a divorce,” he reminded her. “On the boat.” He repeated her words verbatim.

Laura fought back tears. “Because I knew eventually you’d want to go back to your playboy ways.” Water pooled in the corners of her eyes. “You backed out of being a husband and father once. You can just as easily do it again.”

“Where the hell are these asinine ideas coming from?” he growled, then paused and took an inaudible breath. “Laura, I wasn’t in Philadelphia. I don’t want a divorce.” Chase said nothing for a moment. “Because you’re pregnant, I’ll ignore what’s running through your head and spitting out of your mouth.” His gaze moved over her. “I love you. I love you so much, that where I went today was for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes.” He scowled, his mouth tight. “I thought we could get a good night’s sleep and talk in the morning, but it doesn’t seem like you intend to let up.”

“No, I don’t. Talk about what?”

“I went to Baltimore to meet with Ned, Special Agent Saunders and a detective from Philadelphia.”

A swarm of bees fluttered in her gut, and the stinging sensation had nothing to do with the baby. “For God’s sake, why?”

With a frustrated sigh, his words rushed out. “Because when I told you my father assured me you were safe, that wasn’t true. These people he’s involved with are only waiting until after the baby’s born.”

“My God.” Laura’s legs weakened and she grabbed the top of the headboard for support. She wasn’t sure what frightened her more, Dick Donovan’s threats or her husband’s lies.

“Honey, I didn’t want Dad’s visit to bring on another panic attack. Assuring you that you were safe was the only thing I could think of to say at the time.”

“And meeting with Saunders?”

With weary but clear-cut precision, Chase relayed the significance of the meeting she had witnessed at the warehouse, his phone call to Ned and meeting with Saunders and Morgan in the diner.

“I planned on telling you everything in the morning, Laura. I swear.” His arms wide, he held out open palms appealing to her to believe him.

Laura had listened, hanging onto his every word, not knowing if she was frightened for him, or fuming mad at him. Chase, who all these months insisted the FBI and Special Agent Saunders weren’t to be trusted, was now in bed with them.

She expressed these sentiments. “I don’t want you involved.” Her request was a command.

He spoke his words slowly. “What did you say?”

“I don’t want you involved,” she repeated. “Stay out of it. Grabbing criminals is Saunders’ job, not yours.”

“My job, Laura, is to protect my wife and child.” The blue of his eyes was darkly bitter. “We’re not living our lives waiting, wondering when these buffoons will show up and finish what they started on
Madre
.”

“Suppose these buffoons realize what you’re up to. You’re in danger and you leave the baby and me unprotected anyway,” she pointed out bitterly, tilting her chin upwards. “You’re to stay in Sea Tower and let Saunders do what the government pays him to do. Catch bad guys.”

“Laura, this isn’t open for discussion,” he said, his tone deceptively calm. “I wouldn’t be the man I want to be if I ignored the fact that someone’s out to harm my wife.”

“Oh, you just like playing the hero,” she taunted. She was terrified.
Why wouldn’t he listen to reason?
“It really feeds your ego to save the poor damsel in distress,” she went on. “It gives you a kick.”

He stared at her, mouth slightly ajar, as if she had slapped him. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

She softened her features and tone, trying a different, gentle approach. “Chase, all I’m asking is that you stay here, with us, where we’re all safe,” she said. “One day you’re angry with your father, and the next day you aren’t. If you go along with Saunders, how will you feel on the days you aren’t angry with him? Will you be able to live with yourself? With me?”

“My father brought this chaos on himself.”

Laura stood immobile as the situation’s depth sunk in. “Chase, did you ever consider that everything you’ve done these past months, including marrying me, was to defy and annoy your father?”