Under Currents (32 page)

After hearing that it was Devin Vincent, who was also behind her problems as well, Adam raised a brow. “And you have no idea why he wants you to sell?”

“Not a clue. He’s not one of the property owners approached by the Zanbar Corporation.”

“Maybe he’s involved with Zanbar,” Caleb suggested.

Adam shrugged. “Maybe. Let’s think about the land and who owns it.” He removed a pen and sketched out the river on a napkin. “Draw off the lots and write down the owners’ names.”

Julie etched out the parcels of land and jotted down the names before handing it back. He studied it for a moment. “And you’re sure these were the only people involved?”

“That’s it. Out of the ten, I’m the only one who refused.”

“I know all the people listed, and I can’t see any of them resorting to violence,” Adam said. He pointed at the map. Who owns this land on the opposite side of the river?”

Julie shook her head. “I’m not sure. But it’s undeveloped. It’s all wooded.”

Adam shifted his gaze to him. “Didn’t Devin’s father own land on the river?”

Caleb shrugged. “I think so, but I’m not exactly sure where.”

“Even if he owns that property, he has nothing to gain. The casino didn’t want any of the land on the other side of the river,” Julie said.

Caleb repositioned the pillow behind his head. “But if there was a casino across from Devin’s property, his land would be worth a helluva lot more than it is now.” He remembered what a schemer Devin was. “And I’d bet he has plans to build something there.”

“The new bridge.” Julie’s face lit with acknowledgement. “Devin Vincent must be behind it. Without it, there wouldn’t be an easy way to go from his property to the casinos.”

“Julie, check with the county planning commission,” Adam said. His expression turned serious. “As the pressure builds from our investigating and probing, your dragon will become more dangerous. You might feel the heat.”

“I’m afraid he’s already blowing flames.” She paused a moment. “Two men followed me here. They cornered me in the garage and demanded I turn over Connie’s diary.”

Caleb’s blood boiled like liquid acid and shot through his veins, bringing him completely off the pillow as he sat up. “Damn it, that son-of-a-bitch. I’ll kill him if he so much as touches you or the kids.”

“Easy tiger. You’re not in any condition to go after anyone,” Adam stated. He glanced at Julie. “Did they take the diary?”

“No, I didn’t have it with me. I said I’d already turned it over to the authorities.”

“Have you?” Adam asked, his right brow arching upward.

“No, I have it locked in a secure place.”

“So long as you have that diary, your life is in jeopardy,” Caleb warned. He twisted around struggling against the I. V. line connected to the top of his hand. “I’ve got to get out of this place. I’m no good to anyone here.”

“Caleb, I handled things today. And I can do it again.”

“And just how in the hell did you deal with Vincent’s hired men?” Caleb asked.

“With this,” Julie said, pulling the .22 from her pocket. A smile of pride lit her face. “I grazed one of the men in the shoulder.”

“You what?” Caleb asked. His pulse rate increased, and a muscle above his eye twitched.

“I was actually aiming at his heart. I'm a little out of practice. After Jeremy died, I gave his guns to his brother. I didn't want them around Ally and Scott.”

“Good Lord, Julie,” Caleb said. “You could’ve shot yourself.”

“Don’t underestimate me like Frank Wilson did. Besides, you’re the one who recommended I get one.”

Adam scowled at the small weapon. “I’m surprised someone didn’t hear the gunfire and call the police.”

“It sounded more like a car backfiring. I didn’t see anyone else but the two men when I entered the garage. And with the door being so solid, I doubt anyone inside the hospital heard it.”

“With all the sirens coming and going,” Caleb said, grinding his jaw in frustration, “no one probably paid any attention to it.”

“You might want to check into a handgun permit,” Adam suggested.

“I will.”

“Have they said anything about releasing you?” Adam asked Caleb.

“No, but I’m hoping it’s soon.”

Adam placed his hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “Maybe you should come stay with Karen and me until you’re better.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I want to be near Julie and her kids.” Relief flashed in Julie’s eyes. Caleb smiled at Adam. “I appreciate your help with this. Thanks.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come through for you sooner.”

Adam was about to walk out the door, but Julie stopped him. “Wait, there’s something else. I was so upset over the two men who stopped me, I almost forgot. Frank said Caleb shouldn’t have mentioned the diary to Devin.” She shifted her gaze to Caleb. “When did you see him?”

Caleb ran his hand through his hair. “After meeting with my parole officer, I headed to Jefferson City.” Caleb thought back on his conversation. “But I never mentioned the diary.”

Adam’s frown changed to concern. “Then someone is piping information back to Vincent. Just who knows about the diary?”

“My family and the Peels,” Julie offered.

“Have you mentioned it to anyone?” Adam asked him.

Caleb remembered the dread that had encompassed him when he’d last visited Mr. Rook.

“Yeah, my parole officer.”

♦♦♦

Bored, Caleb turned off the TV anchored to the wall. Julie hadn't visited for several days. She’d called that morning to tell him what time she’d arrive at the hospital. She had given him some good news. No charges would be brought against him for the incident at the trailer park. Casey had admitted her role in the plot, and John, Frank’s friend, had also confessed to the setup.

Caleb anxiously awaited Julie’s arrival. Today he was being discharged, and she’d offered to drive him home. The nurse had already removed the I.V. and allowed him to dress in clothes Adam had dropped off.

When the door opened, he'd expected to see Julie; instead, Devin Vincent walked in. Caleb's smile dropped. He stood from the bed, wanting to stand on equal ground, stand as tall as Devin. “Glad to see my old friend decided to pay me a visit.” He glanced around him. “You didn’t bring the family?”

“You’re really serious about trying to get a new trial?”

“You bet. I didn’t kill those girls.”

“Then you don’t know a lot about the law. You have to have rock solid evidence for a judge to even consider it. You’re out of prison. Don’t push your luck.”

“I’m on parole for two years, and I have a prison record that’ll keep me from getting ahead.”

“It was a misfortunate accident, and you just happened to be the one driving. What have you got to gain from rehashing the past? Let the dead rest in peace.”

Caleb held his tongue not wanting to say too much. One slip up and it’d be like General Lee handing Grant the South’s battle plans. He stared down Devin’s cool glare while he carefully thought about what he was saying. “You took advantage of me being in a coma.”

“You can’t prove anything.”

Caleb shrugged. Step too close to a rattler, and it’ll strike, he reminded himself. “So is that a confession?”

“There were people who swore in court you were the one driving.”

“Yeah, I had been. Strange, how anxious you were for me to drive your boat. I can remember asking every time we’d taken it out if I could drive. That day you let me. But I wasn’t the one who plowed those girls down.”

Devin paused, his eyes sizing up Caleb. “How much?”

“How much what?” Caleb asked, playing dumb.

“How much money will it take to keep you from pursuing this?”

“There’s no amount of money that can make up for the ten years of hell I lived through or the life I’ve missed out on, not to mention what it did to my family. The one thing I have in tact is my pride. Take your money and go to hell, Devin. The only thing I want is the truth.”

“I won’t let you ruin my career and family.”

“Is that a threat?” Caleb snapped.

“Maybe. You’d better take my advice and leave town unless you want something happening to that pretty little neighbor and her children.”

“You seem to think you hold all the cards. Aren’t you forgetting you have a wife and three kids? Maybe you should worry about their safety.”

A sinister chuckle escaped Devin’s lips.

Despite the pain, Caleb stood straight, squaring his shoulders and narrowing his eyes. His words were weightless. He’d never hurt Devin’s wife or children no matter how angry he was. He didn’t like making the threat, but he wanted to give the senator something to think about. Maybe Devin would think twice before harming Julie or her kids.

“When you spend time in prison, you make a lot of acquaintances. People willing to do almost anything for a few bucks once they’re out.”

Devin laughed. “That’s good, but I don’t buy it. You don’t have the stomach for it. Never did.”

“Thanks. You just proved my innocence.”

The door opened and Julie entered. Her gaze stopped on Devin before shifting to Caleb, her eyes questioning the situation. She walked past Devin and stood by Caleb’s bed, facing the politician.

“Senator,” Julie said, giving him a cold greeting.

“Mrs. Ross.”

Caleb reminded him Amy had been her cousin.

Devin grinned. “You were always so quiet, nothing like Amy.”

Julie gave him a coy smile. “So nerdy. Is that what you’re trying to say?”

He grinned. “Yeah, something like that. I watched the story on the news about Deputy Grear. Stabbing and shooting people. Now, I’m really impressed. I’ve certainly underestimated you.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what’s mine.”

Caleb liked the way Julie kept her cool, but he didn’t like the way Devin’s gaze hungrily raked over her as though he’d never seen a woman. Lust sizzled in his eyes.

“So how’s your wife and children,” Caleb said, reminding Devin he was married. “I believe your wife’s name is Misty.”

Devin cut a harsh glare to Caleb. “Fine, thank you.” He shifted his attention back to Julie. “It was nice seeing you again, but I’d better be on my way. It’s a fair drive from St. Louis to Jefferson City.” He stopped in the doorway and turned. “I’ll double what the Zanbar Corporation offered you for your property.”

“I’m not interested. With the new bridge going in, I’ll have even more business,” she said, rubbing salt into his wound.

No doubt, the bridge was his doing. He stood to prosper somehow.

“You have two children, don’t you, Mrs. Ross?”

Julie’s face paled drastically.

“A boy and a girl, right?”

She glared at him but didn’t reply.

“I heard someone took your daughter but let her go. It shows how easy it is to destroy someone’s life. What a nightmare that must’ve been.”

Her eyes narrowed, and her skin flushed with anger. “The man who took my daughter is dead. Anyone who tries to harm my children will end up the same way.”

Pride swelled in Caleb’s chest. Devin had misjudged her. Hell, so had he.

Devin turned his attention to Caleb. “Remember the time we talked about asking Julie to the prom and then not showing up? I said I’d do it, but Caleb volunteered for the job and insisted he’d do it. Should’ve known he’d chicken out and not go through with it.”

A deep blush rose in Julie’s cheeks. Her eyes filled with pain only for a moment before her anger resurfaced.

“Mr. Vincent, you’re tactics of hurting my feelings or making me think less of Caleb are juvenile. Rather than dwell on the past, I’d like to focus on the future when everyone will know the truth about the man who sits in the senator’s seat.”

Shit. Don’t say too much.

Julie had just thrown kerosene on the flames.

Caleb squeezed her upper arm. “Let it go, Jules.”

“I have one more thing to add.” She directed her gaze to Devin Vincent. “Next time you send people to deal with me, I’ll aim for the heart instead of the shoulder.”

Devin flashed Julie a sly smile before looking at Caleb. “Quite a little woman you have. I can see why Frank was so hung up on her. She’s going to be lonely when you end up back in prison.”

“I wasn’t charged for that crap at the trailer park,” Caleb said as concern spiraled through him. He'd been cleared of any wrong-doing with Casey. So what was Devin suggesting?

Devin pulled a pocket-sized digital tape recorder and played back what Caleb had said about his wife and children. “No, but threatening a senator’s family should put you back behind bars. My wife will testify that she felt threatened when you came to our home.”

“You threatened Julie and her children first.”

“I don’t recall that.” His smile grew wider while his eyes sparkled with hatred. “Now I’d be willing to trade this tape for Connie’s diary and her property. Unless Mrs. Ross gives up the diary and signs a contract selling her property, I plan to take this tape straight to your correctional officer and the prosecutor.”

“I know Rook is on your payroll,” Caleb said.

Julie's face tightened with determination. “Like I said, I’m not selling, and the diary has already been turned over to authorities.”

“For some reason, I don’t believe you,” Devin said. “I can see the headlines now.
Recently Paroled Convict Threatens Senator’s Family.
You’ll be on your way back to the slammer once you’re released from the hospital.” Devin grinned like a Cheshire cat. “I don’t plan for you to survive your first night back. Like you said earlier, there are men in prison willing to do anything for a few bucks.”

Chapter Nineteen

“It’ll be your word against ours. I’ll testify against you,” Julie said.

Devin barked a cynical laughed. “It's recorded. Besides, no one will believe you any more than him. You’re an ex-con’s woman. You’ve lost your standing in the community. Surely you see what you’ve done by being Caleb’s lover. You’re no better than he is.”

Caleb didn’t know what to say. Julie’s face turned ash gray, and the despair in her eyes made him feel guiltier than hell for ruining her life.

“Jules, are you all right?” Caleb asked.