Common Enemy (22 page)

“Are you going to take it?”

“No, but I want to make a deal with you. Hand it over.”

Josh reached into the waistband of his jeans to pull out the thirty-eight special. Connor was relieved he’d gotten to him before he blew his dick off. The stupid things people pick up on TV.

Connor took the gun, and before Josh knew what was happening, he emptied the bullet chambers, and then handed it back.

“Why did you do that?” Josh exclaimed.

“I want you to give me six months,” Connor explained. “Then, I’ll let you have the bullets back. You have my word on that, as long as you promise not to replace them until then. No matter what you decide, I’ll give them back to you. It’s a gentleman’s agreement bound by trust.”

“I guess I don’t really have a choice.”

“You have a lot of choices, Josh. I just want to make sure that you think them through carefully. And, I want you to put that gun away. I don’t want your mom to see it again.” He held his hand out again and Josh shook it.

Ian stepped out the front door. “We’d better be getting back for supper, son.”

On the way, Connor gazed out the passenger window, mentally replaying every word he’d spoken to Josh. He hoped he’d said the right things. If Josh reacted to his anger and teenage impulses it would destroy what was left of a family he loved. He made a silent vow to follow-up with the kid on a regular basis.

“You handled that well, Connor, a lot better than I would have. I would have probably sent the kid over the edge. I wish I was more like you sometimes.”

Connor was amazed by his father’s admission. “Sometimes I wish I was more like you. You never make mistakes. John would be at home with his family if you’d been in my place.”

“From what I understand, John went out on his own. He didn’t even let his partner know what he was up to. That was the mistake that cost him his life. I wish he hadn’t done it, but I know he was trying to protect you. He loved you. Unfortunately, Butler was one step ahead of him. I don’t know if John would have taken that chance for me. Have no doubt about it, son, I’ve made a lot of mistakes.” Ian squeezed the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “You were right about what you told Josh. I don’t deserve your mother, or you two boys for that matter. I am an asshole.” Connor could tell this wasn’t easy for his dad. “Our conversation this morning was uncalled for. I should have told you how glad I was to have you home. I should have welcomed Jordan into the family. I should have been a lot better with Lizzy. It seems like I always let my mouth override my brain. I always end up regretting it later.” After a deep breath, he added, “What I really want to tell you, Connor, is that I think Jordan is a treasure. She’s passionate and strong, like your mother. She’ll be the best friend you’ll ever have. Lizzy…what can I say? She’s a little fireball. I can see that she loves you. I wish I could start over from the beginning with her. In short, I just want you to know that I’m really proud of you, son.”

Connor could hardly breathe around the lump in his throat. “Thanks, Dad. I wouldn’t worry too much about making up with Jordan and Lizzy. Besides being very passionate women, they’re both very forgiving. I know you’ll work it out.”

Ian slowed the car. “Do you mind if I stop at the mall before we go home?”

“No, I guess not. I could probably use a few things myself.”

Connor came home with a small bag of grooming supplies and a bottle of perfume for Jordan. Ian carried a large pink box with a white bow on top. They found the women just getting out of the swimming pool.

“What’s in the box, Ian?” Melanie eyed him warily.

“A new grandpa has rights, you know,” Ian answered.

“Are you seriously going to try to bribe your way into Lizzy’s good graces?”

“I had to find some way to break the ice. Give me a break!” Ian looked embarrassed. “By the way, what’s for supper?”

“Connor’s favorites.” She smiled.

“Oh good Lord, where are the antacids?”

They had supper in the large formal dining room that evening. Connor and Caleb each ate three chilidogs with cheese and onions along with a plate of onion rings. Despite the fact that Lizzy was unusually quiet in Ian’s presence, she couldn’t resist the cuisine.

“Why’s the munchkin so quiet?” Caleb asked.

“She had a little run-in with dad this afternoon.”

“Any casualties?”

“Nothing serious, but Dad has a hell of a bruise on his right leg.”

“I’m surprised Jordan let him live.” Caleb grinned.

“The jury is still out on that.”

“Did you bring your guitar?”

“Do I go anywhere without it?”

****

Jordan helped Melanie finish clearing the table for Miss Hannah and was drawn down the hallway by the sound of music.

“You’re an amazing woman, Melly, teaching your sons to express themselves so openly through music.”

“Me? I made up a few songs for them when they were little, but I’m completely tone deaf.” She opened the door to reveal Ian sitting at the piano. He was singing an old Billy Joel song. His voice was as clear and strong as his sons’.

Jordan was surprised to see Lizzy move close to watch his fingers play over the keys. “Are you going to open your present?” he asked Lizzy.

“It doesn’t have my name on it,” she replied.

“I forgot that part, but you can open it anyway.”

“Do I have to?”

“Why not?” Ian tilted his head. “Don’t you like presents?”

“Yes, but I don’t know if I want a present from you.” Her voice lowered. “You’re kind of a stranger.”

“What about a trade?” Ian suggested. “I’ll give you the present if you’ll sing a song for me.”

“I can sing Mockingbird if somebody sings with me.”

“I guess I can help you out.”

She sat on the piano bench next to him and belted out the song in her childish voice as he accompanied her. When he handed her the box, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Jordan had never had the means to spoil Lizzy with impromptu gifts. Ian looked just as anxious. Her reaction seemed to mean a lot to him. Jordan hoped this would mark a new beginning for them.

Inside the large pink box was a big gray teddy bear wearing a blue T-shirt with
Grandpa Bear
printed across the front. In its arms was a little reddish-brown bear with a pink T-shirt that read
Lizzy Bear
. Lizzy wrapped her arms around Ian’s neck and placed a kiss on his cheek.

“I’m sorry I was such a jerk, Lizzy,” he whispered.

“You’re not such a mean man, are you?” She smoothed his tie.

“I suppose I could be better, but I’ve never had a little girl to give me hugs before. I think that will make me much nicer.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

For the second day, Bobby Ray watched Jordan’s property from his new and closer hiding place under her house. She, McCrae, and the kid were still nowhere in sight. They’d left town, but they’d be back. Nothing had been moved out. Well, nothing except the big tree where he’d hung the investigator. A length of the rope still circled the trunk from when they’d cut it up to feed into a chipper. The memory must have been more than their poor little hearts could stand.

The old man, Arnie, supervised the twin boys unloading a bunch of wood from his truck. “That old tree was here before I was born. It’s a shame it had to come down, but all things must end sometime. Maybe it’ll be in a green pasture in heaven when I die. I wouldn’t mind lying in its shade again.”

“Don’t say such things, Mr. Coleman,” one boy said. They were so much alike it was hard to keep them separate when they moved around so much. Just like those McCrae brothers must have been before one was scarred.

“It’s the truth, son,” the old man continued. “We have to clear out and make room for the future. This old tree is gone now, but something new and beautiful will take its place.”

“I wish we had more time to work today,” the second boy remarked. “Do you think we’ll be able to get it all done tomorrow?”

“We will if we work steady all day. I want this to be a nice surprise for Jordan when she returns.”

Bobby Ray was glad when they finally got back in the truck and left. As he crawled out from under the house and stood, every muscle stretched to its breaking point like old taffy. He’d learned the patrol cars’ schedule. He had about half an hour before it came by again. That left plenty of time to look around.

If the old man and his boys planned to work the whole next day, chances were slim Jordan would return until the day after that. Bobby Ray would treat himself to a decent hotel bed for the next couple of nights.

He entered the barn first to find Jordan’s old car and McCrae’s van. The fancy sports car was gone. If he knew anything about cars, he’d cut the brake lines like they did in the movies. Maybe that only worked on twisty mountain roads, though.

He walked onto the back patio to look through the windows. Bobby Ray closed his eyes and recalled the neat, clean rooms from when he’d gone inside and found the cat. He wished he could have seen Jordan’s face when she saw it. He felt that it made a clear statement, but McCrae hadn’t paid attention. Jordan was his woman. McCrae should have gone back where he belonged. Too late now.

If Jordan had kept her mouth shut and stayed with him this would be his house. By all rights, it should be his. She was nothing more than a whore. She had him put in prison so she could find herself a rich man. Connor McCrae was living the life that should have been his.

Bobby Ray hiked two miles to where he’d left the borrowed SUV, his muscles aching. The cops were probably looking for the vehicle by now, so he drove for an hour in the opposite direction from its owner. A grizzly, ill-tempered innkeeper rented him a room. It didn’t matter what it looked like; he was exhausted.

Bobby Ray took a two-hour nap, showered and changed into clean clothes. He still felt restless. He walked to the motel office to get a cold drink from the vending machine.

“Hey mister, you need anything for your room?” The female voice came from the front desk. She was a young girl about seventeen-years-old, filing her nails and chewing gum. She was a very petite brunette with dark eyes. Her eyes reminded him of Jordan’s. She wore only a bikini top and cut-off jeans.

“I don’t remember seeing you in here earlier.” He gave her an interested smile.

“My name is Donna. My dad owns this shithole. I don’t really like looking after the place, but my mom took off last year. Once a week, Dad goes to town. He’s on a bowling league. He doesn’t get back until the bars close, but if you need to talk to him, he’ll be here in the morning.”

“I was just wondering where a person goes around here for some fun.” He winked seductively. “Where do you like to go?”

“I don’t get to go out very much. Even if I did, there ain’t any fun places nearby,” she answered with a coy smile.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend? Where does he take you?” He moved closer to lean on the desk.

“I’m not allowed to go out with boys.” She pouted. “My dad is a real pain in the ass since my sister got pregnant and took off with her boyfriend. That was three years ago. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me since, except for bowling nights.”

“I bet your sister knew where to have fun.” He looked directly into her bikini top.

“She sure did,” the girl giggled. “She told me about how she and her boyfriend used to take a six-pack down to the levy and skinny dip in the moonlight.”

“Sounds like fun to me. Have you ever done that?”

“Are you kidding? My dad would have a conniption.”

“You want to go there with me tonight? It could be our secret.” He ran one finger down her neck and around the top edge of her bikini top. “You know, I’m an artist. I’d love to do a portrait of you while I’m here.”

“Really?” Her voice sounded breathless. “Well, it is an awful hot night, but what about the motel? Somebody might come by.”

“Turn on the No Vacancy sign and lock up. We’ll be back long before your dad gets home. I’ll go get the beer and pick you up in half an hour. Remember though, this is our secret. Don’t tell anybody.”

“See you in a half hour.”

****

Connor laid in bed that night thinking about the day ahead of him. He knew how much Josh must dread the duty of carrying his father to his final resting place. He wasn’t looking forward to it either. John had been the right hand of McCrae and Sons legal team for over twenty years. He was family. They had shared tragedy and triumph.

Jordan was sleeping more soundly than she had for weeks. She felt safe. He wished so much that he could just take her away until it was all over. The truth was, she was a magnet for Butler. Wherever she went, he would follow. He thought of Lizzy, sleeping across the hall. She was never really of any interest to Butler. She was just a means to an end. Perhaps he could talk Jordan into leaving her with his mother for a while. He’d miss the little munchkin, but there was no safer place on earth.

He finally decided he needed something to help him sleep. He slid out of bed and pulled on his jeans. Walking down the stairway, he thought about how familiar the house still was after all these years. Even the sounds and smells of the house were the same as he remembered. He was glad to share it with Jordan. He was glad it would be a part of Lizzy’s memories as she grew.

When did all these things become important to him? He’d never thought about this kind of stuff before they came into his life. Then he realized he could hardly remember living without them. And, he couldn’t imagine living without them now.

Downstairs in his father’s study, Connor turned on the desk lamp and poured a glass of brandy. He looked over the shelves of law books he and Caleb had studied for so many years. On the lowest shelves were photo albums his mother kept. Each album was marked by its year on the spine. They started the year Connor’s parents had married and continued until last year. Jordan and Lizzy would be included in this year’s album. Connor saw the last album he would have been in, and picked out the ones for the years after. He sat at his father’s desk before opening the first one. As long as he couldn’t sleep, he may as well catch up a little.

This album was thinner than the rest. The pictures inside were different. No family vacations and smiling faces. Mostly newspaper articles about the court cases his father and Caleb had been involved in. His mother had kept those since the day his father landed his first job as an attorney.