SEVENTEEN
Merrie hugged Sari. “Oh, I’m so relieved!” she said. She glared at Paul and Mandy. “Mandy left me a note that you were in a hurricane in the Bahamas and the two of them were going to look for you. Then they never even called! I tried, but all the lines were busy. I never could get anybody to answer me!”
“We found a drowning victim that we thought was Isabel,” Paul said softly. “It wasn’t her, but we were too torn up to talk to you. And we didn’t want to do it over the phone.”
“Oh, gosh!” Merrie let go of Sari and hugged him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He hugged her back. “We found Isabel coming off a sailboat with some other survivors when we got back to Nassau. It was a pretty intense reunion.” He actually blushed.
Sari looked wicked. “Yes, it was extremely intense. And now he has to marry me.” She blushed, too.
“Nobody’s dragging me to any altar,” Paul commented drily. “I’m running there, as fast as I can.”
“You can be my maid of honor,” Sari told her sister, who was gasping and crying and hugging them.
“But you’ll need a dress,” Mandy began.
“I’ll get something very simple. We’ll have a minister perform the ceremony here, to keep the press out. We can’t have a big society wedding,” Sari added. “Not only because Merrie’s in the crosshairs, but because of Daddy. We don’t want a circus.”
Paul agreed. He didn’t add that there would also be a danger of the contract killer finding a way in through florists or caterers if there was a public ceremony. “We’ll be just as married,” he promised Sari. “But you have to have a white gown with a veil, honey. At least that.”
“I know the owner of a little boutique right here in Jacobsville,” Sari said. “Marcella. She does beautiful work.”
“We’re getting married day after tomorrow,” Paul informed her. “How quick can she sew?”
Sari pulled out her cell phone. “Let’s find out.”
* * *
Luckily, Marcella had a gown in Sari’s size that had been returned by a customer who changed her mind two days from her wedding. It was beautiful and it fit like a dream. So they were married, by Jake Blair, at the Grayling estate, with Merrie and Mandy; the Grier brothers and their families; Jon Blackhawk and his brother, McKuen Kilraven, and their families; and Blake Kemp and Violet; Glory Ramirez and Rodrigo; and Tera, Mr. Kemp’s paralegal, for witnesses.
It was a short, beautiful ceremony. Paul lifted Sari’s veil and smiled before he bent and kissed her softly in front of the whole crowd. Showers of confetti followed them back down the aisle, on the way to a huge reception in the house itself. Of course, there had been bodyguards every inch of the way. One of the guests was a longtime friend of Merrie’s, Randall Colter, who’d been in town on business when he heard about the wedding and called Merrie for an invitation.
Randall had a stepbrother named Ren who lived on a huge ranch in Wyoming. Ren oversaw a Fortune 500 company. He was wealthy and lived alone, and he had state-of-the-art surveillance and a dozen former mercs as security guards. Merrie would not only be safe up there, but if she took the corporate jet, nobody would know she was gone and she couldn’t be traced easily.
Paul and Sari thought it was a good idea. Merrie was hesitant. She’d heard too much about Ren to feel comfortable with him, and she thought Randall was lying when he said she’d be welcome. But Randall convinced her. The Colters’ housekeeper, Delsey, would treat her like a relative, he said, and Ren wasn’t home much, anyway. He traveled a lot on business.
They convinced Merrie to go. Meanwhile, Paul ramped up the investigation into Darwin Grayling’s illegal enterprises and went back to work after a feverish three-day honeymoon in Galveston, during which he and Sari saw very little outside their hotel room.
* * *
“I want to talk to Timothy Leeds,” Paul told Jon Blackhawk.
“He’s in custody at San Antonio PD,” Jon said. “I’ll phone Lieutenant Rick Marquez and have him arrange it.” He paused. “Why?”
“He hired someone else to kill Merrie,” Paul said heavily, noting the other man’s surprise. “I thought it was all over when Morris got nabbed. It’s not. Leeds said he hired another guy, more professional, for Merrie. She was the youngest, so he thought Grayling would care more for her. Damned irony, isn’t it?” he added coldly. “He sets up hits on both Grayling women to punish a man who was already dead.”
“He didn’t know it at the time,” Jon replied. “He’s tried to help. He did know where Morris hung out. We staked out the bar and caught him the morning after you and Mandy left for the Bahamas.”
“That was a hell of a trip. I identified a corpse that I thought was Isabel.” His eyes closed. “Funny, how quick you get your priorities in order when you think you’ve lost everything.”
“You were lucky,” Jon said, smiling. “She’s a great catch. It never hurts to have an ADA in your corner when you’re working a local case,” he added before Paul could take offense at why she was a great catch.
“She’s going to be a firecracker, all right.” He grimaced. “The money still worries me, you know?”
“I do know. It was the opposite thing with Joceline and me. She was a step above the poverty level and I’m worth pretty much what the Graylings are,” he added on a chuckle. “My brother and I own half a county back in Oklahoma.”
“I heard that.” He cocked his head. “You never thought she wanted you for what you had?”
Jon shook his head. “She had my son and never told me, because she was afraid I’d think she wanted to be kept up. I knew her better than that.” He smiled sadly. “We had a rocky time of it before I knew the truth.”
“I guess I blew the thing up until Isabel looked more like a bank account than a person.”
“You came to your senses in time.”
“Yeah.” Paul grinned. “Lucky me. I’ll drive over to SAPD and have a little talk with Leeds. Maybe he can remember something else that would help us find out who bought the contract on Merrie. If we know who he is, we can find out how he operates. Meanwhile, we’re sending her to stay with the brother of a good friend, up in Wyoming. She’ll go in the corporate jet and nobody will know the destination.”
“Not a bad idea. But she’ll need to be watched…”
“The man owns purebred Black Angus bulls worth millions,” Paul said. “He’s got state-of-the-art surveillance and half a dozen ex-mercs working security on his ranch. Merrie will be fine.”
“At least we have Morris,” Jon added.
“And at least Morris had a conscience,” Paul agreed. “I never liked him. He was the old man’s pet, because he’d do absolutely anything for money. He was a good choice, for a contract killer. Except he really hasn’t got the killer instinct. Thank God.”
“No argument there.”
* * *
Timothy Leeds was nervous and he could hardly sit still in the interrogation room with Paul.
“I was so drunk, I don’t remember much,” Timothy protested weakly.
“You had to be sober enough for money to change hands,” Paul replied. He didn’t smile. He hesitated every time Leeds answered, just enough to make the man even jumpier. “You hired him in Brooklyn, in a bar.”
“I remember that.”
“What did he look like? Was there anything about him that stood out?” Paul persisted.
Timothy locked his hands together between his splayed legs and grimaced as he registered Paul’s cold expression. He drew in a breath and tried to think, to picture the man he’d seen through a fog of alcohol. If he could help them find the man in time, before he killed the youngest Grayling daughter, he might escape life in prison. It was worth a try.
“He was tall and distinguished looking,” Timothy began. “I remember it surprised me. I mean, Morris looked like a man who’d do anything. This guy—he stood out because he was so dignified. You know, as if he’d never soil his hands with a weapon. He had black wavy hair and his eyes were an odd color, they were almost amber. He never blinked. And he had this ring…”
“Ring?”
“It was gold, you could tell. It had a cobra coiled around it. The head had rubies for eyes. It was creepy. Sort of like him. He didn’t ask for much in the way of identification at first, so I thought maybe he was going to pass on the deal. But then he said he knew how to find people, that he’d worked as a skip tracer once.” He hesitated. “Will that help?”
“Hell, yes,” Paul said. He got up. “If you remember anything else, have them get in touch with me and I’ll come back.”
“Will this help my case?” Timothy asked plaintively.
“It’s not up to me. But I’d say, yes.” His eyes narrowed as he contemplated how life would have been if Morris had taken the shot and made good on it, if the contract killer still on the loose got Merrie. “You caused two innocent women a hell of a lot of trouble.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I loved my mother.” His voice broke. “I was out of my mind with grief. I wanted to hurt Darwin Grayling the way he hurt my mother!”
Paul drew in a breath. He hated feeling sorry for the guy. He had mental issues, that was obvious from the few talks he’d already had with him. “Listen,” he said gruffly, “things you do in the heat of the moment come under the heading of crimes of passion. You can ask your public defender to plea-bargain the charges down. You’ll still serve time, I won’t lie to you. But it’s a chance for a lesser sentence.”
Leeds looked up with his round face. His eyes were red and swollen. “I’m just so sorry,” he said. His voice broke. “I hope Darwin Grayling burns in hell forever,” he added on a sob. “My mother never hurt a soul.” His head dropped. “She’d be ashamed of me, for what I did,” he added in a whisper. “She’d be ashamed.”
Paul couldn’t find the words. He patted the other man awkwardly on the shoulder, called the guard and left.
* * *
“I hit pay dirt,” Paul told Jon when he got back to the office. “We’re looking for a man who seems too dignified to lower himself to acting like a thug. He worked as a skip tracer once, and he wears a very distinctive ring. It’s a golden cobra with ruby eyes.”
“Nice,” Jon said. “By the way, Rick Marquez is asking us for help investigating the case. I told him I’d give it to you,” he added with a grin. “So knock yourself out.”
“Just what I had in mind,” Paul said with a grin.
* * *
Paul spent hours on the computer, more hours combing the city for his few CIs, plaguing other agents for information from theirs. A week later, they had something. All the digging turned up a contract killer who was known not only for his ruby ring, but for the elegance of his dress and the reputation he had for never missing a target. He’d been charged in two murders, but kind strangers had provided him with airtight alibis. The strangers had usually vanished, and the witnesses suddenly forgot what they saw. So neither of the cases ever went to trial. Simon Marcus was well-known in some law enforcement circles.
“At least we have a way to track him now,” Paul told the women over supper. “Jon’s got his best people looking. So does the sheriff down here.”
“My office, too,” Sari added, smiling at him with her whole heart. “We’ll find him in time. I know we will.”
Merrie drew in a long, wistful breath. “I don’t want to go live in Wyoming,” she said miserably. “Randall talks about his big brother from time to time. He sounds scary.”
“You’ll be safe there,” Sari persisted. “Besides, Randall will be there to protect you.”
“No, he won’t,” Merrie said miserably. “He’s only going along to introduce me. Then he has to be on the road on ranch business for several weeks.” She grimaced. “I’ll never get through this!”
“You have to be somewhere safe,” Paul emphasized. “The man is methodical. He’ll be looking for you here.”
“He’ll stand out,” Sari added. “Once we know the way he operates, we can find a way to trap him.”
“You hope,” Merrie said, dejected.
“It’s a big ranch, Randall said,” Sari reminded her. “Big enough that you can keep out of big brother’s way. Take your art stuff along and draw! Think of it as a vacation.”
“Most vacations don’t come with short-tempered cattlemen.”
Paul pursed his lips. “You might grow to like him.”
“What was it you used to say?” Merrie asked Sari. “I remember. You said, and whales might fly.” She grinned.
Sari laughed. “Okay. I did say that. But give the man a chance.”
“I don’t seem to have a choice,” Merrie agreed. “Randall’s coming to get me this weekend.”
“See?” Paul said. “It’s all going to work out.”
Merrie forced a smile. She didn’t really believe it.
* * *
That night, lying in Paul’s warm, strong arms in bed, Sari believed that dreams came true.
“You’re quiet tonight,” he said, nudging her face with his. “What’s going on in that quick, legal mind?”
“You’ll find out tomorrow.”
His eyebrows arched. “Tomorrow?”
She rolled over and brushed her mouth against his bare shoulder. “Mmm-hmm. Our attorney’s talking to your attorney.”
“What the hell for?”
“It seems you’ve been left a legacy.”
He sat straight up in bed. “A what?”
“A legacy. Our father thought so much of you that he left you a hundred million dollars.”
He stared at her. “Isabel…!”
She sat up, too. She put her fingers over his sensual mouth. “It’s all quite legal. So now you don’t have to worry that everyone will think you’re only with me because I’m rich. You’re rich, too.” She grinned.
“Isabel.” His brows met in the center of his forehead. “Honey.”
She leaned forward and put her mouth against his. “We’re the only two people who will know the truth. Publicly, you received an inheritance from my father, and it’s money that never was touched by illegal activities. He loved you like a son.” She grinned. “I should write novels.”
Her lighthearted, generous nature overcame his protests. He searched her eyes. “Are you sure you want it this way?”
“I’m very sure.”
“I’m not giving up my job,” he said.
She kissed him softly. “I’m not giving up my job, either.”
He chuckled. “Damn, I love you.”
She bit his lower lip. “Just give in. It’s nice being rich. You can afford a new car now.”
“I’ll get a new Ford SUV,” he said stubbornly. “Nothing fancy.”
“That’s entirely up to you.” She kissed him again. “What’s mine is yours. Now we’re equals and everybody will know it.” She cocked her head. Her blue, blue eyes twinkled.
“Torment,” he said tenderly. He kissed her softly, drawing her across his body so that she was lying in his lap. “I love you almost beyond bearing.”
“I love you, too. So much!”
He sighed. “It wasn’t only the money.”
“What do you mean?”
He smoothed his hand down over her pert breasts, visible under the thin gown. “I went after a mob boss. He murdered my wife, Lucy, and our daughter, Marie. It took me a long time to get over losing them.” His eyes searched hers. “I was afraid I’d lose you, too.” His face contorted. “In the Bahamas, when I saw that body and thought it was you…” His arms tightened. He buried his face in her throat and rocked her. “Dear God, I thought, she’s dead and it’s my fault. I killed her! And I’d never even told you that I loved you. I let my pride stick it to me again.” He lifted his head. “I can’t…lose you, baby. I can’t!”
She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. “You won’t lose me,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. We’re married. We’re going to live happily ever after. Period.”
“Happily ever after?” he asked, searching her eyes.
“Ever after. I swear.”
He relaxed, just a little.
“I swear!” He relaxed more. She reached up and kissed him hungrily. “Come down here,” she whispered, easing onto her back on the mattress.
“Why?” he teased.
“It’s the happily ever after part. I want to work on it a little more,” she said huskily. She laughed, deep in her throat. “Come on. Practice makes perfect, right?”
All at once, the money didn’t matter, the past didn’t matter, nothing mattered. Just this beautiful redhead with her laughing blue eyes. “I’ll show you practice,” he murmured, and he lowered his body onto hers.
* * *
Merrie was packed and ready to leave the next morning. She looked like death warmed over as she hugged Mandy and Sari and Paul.
Randall Colter was tall and blond and devastating. Handsome, educated, charming. He collected women like some people collected books. He shook hands with Paul and hugged the women.
“Don’t worry. She’ll be safe with us,” Randall assured them. “When I’m not around, my brother will be. He can wrestle grizzlies,” he added. “Nobody’s hurting my best friend on our place.”
“You can call us any time you get homesick,” Sari assured her sister. “On one of those six throwaway phones we bought you, so that the call can’t be traced to you. You’ll be safe.”
“Meanwhile, we’ll find the cleaner,” Paul added. “Just watch your back.”
“You know I will,” Merrie replied. She looked from one of them to the other and smiled gently. “I should paint you two like that. You look…I don’t know…completely connected.”
Paul tugged Sari close. “That’s us,” he said, looking down at her warmly. “Connected!”
“Got your cell phones?” Sari asked.
Merrie nodded. “All six. Well, I guess we’d better go.”
“I guess.” Randall took her arm and picked up her suitcase. “See you.”
“Bye,” Merrie called as they stepped out the door.
* * *
“It will be all right,” Paul assured his wife when they heard the limo drive away. “She’ll be fine.”
“It will be lonely without her,” Sari said quietly. “Merrie and I have never been apart, except when I went to the Bahamas.”
“It will only be until they catch the killer,” Mandy reminded them. “And meanwhile, she’ll be safe. Is anybody hungry?”
“I’ve got to interview a potential witness in a robbery,” Sari said.
“I’ve got to pore over case files looking for a contract killer,” Paul said.
“Well, I’m hungry, so I think I’ll make myself a sandwich,” Mandy replied.
They looked at each other. “We can’t work on empty stomachs, right, honey?” Paul asked Sari.
She grinned up at him. “Not so much. What kind of sandwiches?” she asked Mandy, as they followed her into the kitchen.
“Something he’ll like,” she returned, winking at Paul. “Thick pastrami on rye with mustard.”
“My favorite!” Paul exclaimed.
“You big-shot FBI agents aren’t the only people who can find out things,” Mandy told him.
“And who have you been talking to?” Paul wanted to know.
“Your cousin Mikey,” she replied. “Did you know that he can make pizza from scratch, tomato sauce and all?”
“Since when do you know Mikey?” Paul asked.
“He’s my brother’s best friend.” Mandy chuckled.
“Well!”
She glanced at him. “He said he’ll come down for the christening, by the way.”
“What christening?” Paul asked absently as he poured coffee into a cup at the counter.
“Your child’s.”
He nodded. “My child’s…” He stopped dead, with the coffee cup in midair. He turned and stared at Sari with his mouth open, his eyes wide, stunned.
“When we have one,” Sari returned, laughing at his expression.
“Oh.” He finished putting coffee into the cup and sat down beside her. He leaned over and kissed her tenderly. “Well, whenever you’re ready,” he told her with pursed lips and twinkling eyes. “I have no objection to boys or girls or both.”
“Maybe a baseball team?” she teased.
“Sure. As long as they come along one at a time,” he laughed. “And not all at once.”
“Bite your tongue!” Sari shot back.
Mandy, watching them, thought how dreams sometimes came true. The two of them had been like two halves of a whole for years and years. Despite the tragedies, and the heartache, there they sat, with the future sitting bright and beautiful ahead and no more obstacles keeping them apart. Merrie would be all right. They’d find the man Leeds had sent after her. And who knew, Merrie might actually like that tough Wyoming rancher once she got to know him.
Miracles happened when you least expected them, she mused. There would be no more tears shed because of that tortured man who’d lorded over everyone for so long. There would be laughter in this house again, now that it was free of Darwin Grayling’s ominous, fearful presence. There would be children playing in the halls, their laughter like music. Happiness would radiate from every corner.
Sometimes, Mandy thought dreamily, life was sweeter than words could express. The two people at the table, oblivious to everything except each other, would surely agree with that sentiment. She smiled as she loaded pastrami onto thick slices of rye bread and reached for the mustard.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from by Diana Palmer.