Chapter 13

The most unassuming things could be the most dangerous, Isabella decided as she stared at the letter Julie had brought to her. It was the same ordinary white envelope as before. No words. No images. Just a blank white envelope.

“Miss Montgomery? Is everything all right?” Agent Lahey asked as she opened the envelope.

“You’ll want to see this,” she whispered as she pulled the letter out.

Remember what happened to Jasper? You are MINE.

Isabella swallowed hard and handed the letter over to Agent Lahey, who took it from her and read it without a word.

“I’ll need to take this, check it for prints,” he said.

“You won’t find any, but feel free to take it. I have a few more,” she said.

“When did those ones arrive?”

“The most recent one came last week. It’s at my house. The others came over the past few years, mostly around the time I dated Jasper,” she said.

“Do you still have any of the old ones?”

“Yes, all of them. My sister and I thought we could use them to file a restraining order against David, but he disappeared before we had the chance. Besides, there was never any evidence that he left them,” she said.

“But you think he did,” Agent Lahey said.

“He’s the only person I know who would.”

Agent Lahey hesitated before he asked, “Miss Montgomery, are you currently dating someone?”

She froze. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Does he live with you?”

“No.”

Agent Lahey nodded. “And your sister? Is she safe?”

“I think so. She just got married and Marc seems protective. Plus, he’s a carpenter and they’re fixing up their house, so there’s plenty of tools lying about for them to use if someone breaks in,” she said.

“I would advise you to change your locks and maybe add a deadbolt or two in your house,” he said.

“Already done. My boyfriend suggested the same thing.”

“Good. I’m staying at the Hollow Inn. Here’s my number in case you need anything. We’ll have to arrange a time for you to show me the gifts David gave you once you find them,” Agent Lahey said as he handed her his card.

“Right. I’ll look for them tonight,” she said.

“Good. And Miss Montgomery, no one can know I’m here in an official capacity. If David gets wind that an FBI agent is hanging around, he might slip away.”

“I understand,” Isabella said as the casual way he dressed finally clicked in her brain.

“And if you think of anything, it doesn’t matter how small or insignificant you think it is, call me,” he said, his blue eyes gentle in his stern face.

“I will.” She stood up and moved around the desk to open the door for him. They walked out together and she said, “Anytime you want a good cup of coffee, just come in. It’s on the house.”

“I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” he said with a smile.

“Oh, one more thing. David’s been here twice now, never for more than a few minutes each time. But I have CCTV, if you need to look at it,” she said.

“That might be useful,” he said

“Izzy, anything you want to tell me?” asked a deep voice from behind her.

“Jack! Umm, maybe,” she said, as she avoided his question and his intense eyes.

“Connor? What are you doing here?” Jack asked as he looked at the man with Isabella and shook hands with the FBI agent.

“You two know each other?” Isabella asked and relaxed for the first time since Connor Lahey had walked in to her shop.

“Yeah. I prosecuted a few cases for him back in the day before I switched to less stressful cases,” Jack said. “What brings you to Small Town USA?

“I’m investigating someone and I thought Miss Montgomery might have some useful information,” said Connor.

“What kind of investigation?” Jack asked.

“Embezzlement. Fraud. Money laundering. Theft. Smuggling. And Miss Montgomery has given me a few more to add to that list.”

“Here, in Gulls Hollow?” Jack asked, completely shocked.

“It’s David,” Isabella said in a whisper.

She knew there was fear in her eyes. Fear and shame. Jack brushed a hand down her back in comfort and she leaned into his touch.

“I’m assuming he’s the man you’re dating?” Connor asked with a raised brow and a grin.

“Uh, well, we’re-“

“Yes,” said Jack. He ignored Isabella’s glare and focused on Connor.

“Good. I would stay with her until this is all cleared up.”

“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I’m standing right here,” Isabella said.

“Sorry, Miss Montgomery,” said Connor as he shrugged. “Could I see your CCTV footage before I leave?”

“Sure. It’s in my office,” she said as she began to walk that way but she turned around and gestured for Jack to wait for her. She opened the program on her computer and found the correct time logs of the days David had been at The Bean before she let Connor sit in her chair.

“It should all be here. Feel free to go through as much of it as you want. He was here last week and then this morning,” she said.

“Great. Thank you,” Connor said as he sat down and began to go through the footage.

Isabella nodded and went back out to the front where Jack waited for her. The glower on his face told her that he wasn’t happy with her. She took his hand and pulled him to a quiet corner in the back where they could talk without being interrupted. The shop was quiet at the moment since the morning rush had ended, so she didn’t need to rush back to work right away.

“Why didn’t you call me earlier?” Jack demanded and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I got distracted. And I needed some time to think. Besides, he was only here for a few minutes. I didn’t really have time to call you,” Isabella defended herself as she placed her hands over his crossed arms.

“Izzy, he was here again. That’s not a good thing.”

“It’s not like I invited him. And I can’t exactly throw him out,” she argued.

“I know, I just … I don’t like him being near you,” he said as he placed his hands on her upper arms and pulled her closer.

“I don’t like him being around me either, Jack,” she said as she leaned her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Thank you for fixing my locks the other morning.”

He blew out a breath. “I hope they do some good. I could always stay with you for the time being, if you want.”

She smiled against his chest as she heard the question in his voice. “That might be nice,” she said as she leaned back and looked up at him.

“Would it?” he murmured as he leaned down.

“Mm-hmm,” she said as his lips touched hers in a gentle kiss.

“Well then, I’ll come over later tonight and we can talk. And do other things,” he suggested with a smirk.

Isabella slapped his chest in mock anger before she settled down and smoothed her hands over his broad chest. “By the way, just so you know, another note arrived when I was speaking with Agent Lahey. I showed him, so don’t worry.”

“What did it say?” he asked.

She shook her head and played with a button on his shirt. “Can we talk about it later?”

“Sure. We’ll talk later.”

“And other things,” she said with a grin.

He answered her with another kiss, this one longer and deeper. She was glad he kept his head and remembered where they were so he pulled away, considering she had forgotten.

“Sorry to interrupt,” said Agent Lahey. “But I just wanted to let you know the CCTV didn’t pick up a clear image of the person who left the notes either time.”

“I didn’t think they would. I only have CCTV in the shop for insurance purposes in case there’s a robbery. But in a small town, there’s usually nothing much to worry about so I didn’t put up any outside,” Isabella said as she pulled back from Jack, but he only let her step to the side and kept his arm around her waist.

“Miss Montgomery, I noticed something else in the footage from today. David paid particular attention to your wrist. Is that the one that broke during the attack a couple of years ago?” Agent Lahey asked.

“Yes,” she said and felt Jack’s gaze on her as she pulled her wrist up and cradled it against her stomach.

“Okay. I want you to know that I’m going to do my best to put him away forever. I can’t promise I can prove that he had any part in the attack, but if you can find those gifts that he gave you, I should be able to charge him with everything else assuming there’s a trail to follow,” Agent Lahey said.

Isabella nodded. “I understand. I’ll look for them tonight when I go home.”

“And remember, if you think of anything just give me a call.”

“I will. Thank you, Agent Lahey.”

“Thanks, Connor,” said Jack.

“No problem. By the way, Miss Montgomery, this one’s a good egg. He’ll treat you right,” said Connor as he pointed to Jack.

She smiled and then looked up at Jack, “I know he will.”

“I’ll see you both later,” Connor said with a smile.

“Don’t forget your coffee’s on the house,” Isabella said.

“I won’t,” Connor said before he turned to walk away.

“Izzy, you know if you keep giving everyone free coffee for life you’re never going to make a dime, don’t you?” asked Jessica from behind Connor, who looked down at Jessica with a raised eyebrow on his otherwise stoic face.

“Jess, don’t be melodramatic,” Izzy said as she looked at Connor’s sudden change of demeanor. It had been subtle, but still noticeable to her. “Ah, Jess, this is Agent Connor Lahey with the FBI. He’s here to help with David.”

“FBI? Izzy-“ Jessica began in a warning.

“I know, Jess, but he came to me,” Isabella said. She hadn’t forgotten about the tension between Jessica’s family and the FBI, but she hoped her friend would put it behind her for now.

Jessica looked up at Agent Lahey and glared at him before she turned back to Isabella. “And you trust him?” she asked as she pointed at Connor.

Jack’s eyebrows rose in surprise with the contempt Jessica pointed towards Connor. There was a story there, one that Isabella seemed to know as she threw up her hands in frustration and tried to come up with a reasonable answer.

“I’m more than capable of capturing David Lassle,” Connor said to the spitfire that glared up at him.

Jessica snorted. “Sure. Okay. I’m not going to hold my breath and wait for that to happen.”

“Jess, please,” Isabella pleaded.

Jessica took a deep breath before she turned to Agent Lahey and said, “I apologize. I do hope you catch David, if only so he’ll stop coming back and ruining everything.”

“Thank you, Jess,” Isabella said in a soft voice.

“Anything for you, Izzy. I’ll see you later, okay?” Jessica asked with a tired smile.

“Sure. See you later, Jess,” Isabella said.

Isabella noticed the pinched look on Jessica’s face and wished she could do something to help, but it would have to wait until Jack and Connor weren’t around. Instead, she watched as Jessica walked away and left the shop.

“Is she a friend of yours?” Connor asked.

“Yes. She’s also the nurse who took care of me after Jasper and I were hurt,” Isabella said by way of explanation. “Please don’t take what she said personally. Something happened a long time ago and it still bothers her.”

“We all have past wounds, Miss Montgomery. I have no desire to tear open any more than I have to,” Connor said.

“Thank you,” she said and Connor left her standing there with Jack.

Jack rubbed small circles on her back. “Are you going to be okay for the rest of the day?”

“Yes. Lucy’s coming over for lunch, so I’ll be fine.”

“Are you going to tell her about the letter?”

“Well, if I don’t, you will, so yes,” she said with a grin.

“I only told them because I was worried,” he defended himself.

“Well, don’t worry this time. I promise to tell her. And I’ll call you when I get home later.”

“Okay. I’ll come over around six,” he said.

“Pizza okay for dinner?”

“Always,” he said with a smile before he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“See you tonight,” she said with a smile.

“See you,” he said as he brushed his fingers down her cheek and kissed her one last time before he turned around and left the shop.

Isabella stood there, her heart and mind a mess. David wasn’t letting her go and now the FBI was involved. But through it all, Jack had been there. He had stood tall and strong and unwavering. She was still scared to tell him everything, but now she believed he would stay.

Together, they would weather this storm and survive.