Dangerous Curves (16 page)

“
Y
ou have to tell Drake
,” Jackie said when Eric told her and Clay about Marcus. The three sat in a DC café at the end of the afternoon rush.

“About Ruth?” Eric said, stirring a fourth spoonful of sugar into his coffee.

“No, about Marcus talking. At least give him some hope that his son is improving. He needs it.”

“Kevin should know too,” Clay said.

They both looked at him.

He shrugged. “It's true. It's not just Drake who's suffering. It'll ease his mind.”

“Maybe an uneasy mind is what he needs,” Eric said in a bitter tone.

“I'm not defending the bloke, I'm just saying it might help.”

“He's right,” Jackie said. “Maybe Marcus should see him.”

“Drake won't like that,” Eric said.

“If we tell him it's for Marcus's sake, he might.”

Eric shook his head. “There's no way he'll say yes to that.”

Jackie flashed an impish grin. “You leave Drake to me.”

D
ominique saw
the little boy's face light up at the sight of Kevin. She and Kevin had been in the garden, discussing the missing person's report about Reginald Avery when Ferguson announced Jackie and Marcus's arrival. Before Kevin could even get up to greet them, Marcus rushed ahead and threw himself into Kevin's arms. Kevin hugged him back, looking embarrassed and a little awkward, which surprised her. He was usually smooth about everything.

“Sorry we didn't call first,” Jackie said. “But coming here was sort of a spur of the moment idea.”

“Does Henson know you're here?” Kevin asked.

“Yes, and he's not happy, but we both thought it might be for the best.” She looked at her nephew, who now sat on Kevin's lap with a large grin on his face. “And I think I'm right. I haven't seen him this happy in a while.”

Kevin rubbed Marcus's head with affection. “It's great to see you.” He set him to the side.

Marcus continued to smile.

Kevin motioned to Ferguson. “Get us some refreshments.”

Jackie shook her head. “No, I'm not staying.” She took a step back.

Kevin stood with mounting unease. “But you both just got here.”

“I'll come back to get him in an hour.”

“Come back?”

Jackie laughed at the shock on his face. “I thought maybe you two could spend time together. He might open up to you.”

“But I don't know what—”

“Make it two hours,” Dominique said, ignoring Kevin's panicked look.

“Two hours?” His voice cracked. “I don't know what to do with a—”

“Are you sure?” Jackie asked.

“Yes, trust me,” Dominique assured her.

Jackie laughed again. “I do.” She wiggled her fingers at the stunned man standing behind Dominique. “Goodbye, Kevin.”

He blinked as if coming out of a stupor. “But—”

“Relax,” Dominique said affectionately, patting his cheek. “We'll be fine.”

T
hey were better than fine
. Once she'd helped Kevin get over his reticence, they had fun. They played hide and seek, a video game, read a story from one of the picture books Marcus had brought, and laughed at a cartoon until he was ready for a nap.

“That wasn't too hard was it?” Dominique said as they sat in the living room. She nodded to the little boy whose head rested on Kevin's lap.

“No,” he admitted, surprised.

“He really likes you.”

“That must keep his father up at night.”

“You sound pleased.”

“Annoying Henson is a hobby of mine.”

“I'm glad you don't take it out on his son. He is such a cutie and he adores you.”

Kevin frowned down at the boy. “I don't know why.”

“You're very likeable.”

He nodded, accepting the compliment as obvious. “Of course, he's got his mother's good taste.”
Good taste.
He remembered saying that to Marcus that day. Kevin had worn the macaroni bracelet Marcus had made for him. He remembered the smile on the boy's face when he showed him. He remembered the feel of the wind, glancing at the bracelet as he switched gears. The feel of the road. Laughter. They'd been so happy.

The missing man. He'd seen him by the car. But he shouldn't have been there. The image changed and he saw the bracelet broken and scattered on the ground covered in blood. Whose blood? His? Cassie's?

“What is it?” Dominique asked in a sharp tone.

He blinked, the memory fading. “What? Why?”

“You had a faraway look. Did you remember something?”

I think so.
“No. Nothing that can help us.”

“Why were you so awkward with him when he came?”

“I guess I don't know what to do with boys. I'm not…” He searched for words.

“One of the guys?” she finished.

“Yea, something like that. I always got along better with girls and they with me.”

“Is that why you don't have any male friends?”

“Probably. I get bored with beer and car talk and business and sports events.”

“Not all men are into that.”

“I know. Thanks for today. I've never spent time with him like this and it was fun.”

“You can show him what interests you. Things that are age appropriate,” she quickly added when he started to grin.

“I won't introduce him to the club scene until he's at least sixteen.”

“I take it back. Stay away from him. I'd hate to see what you'd turn him into in a couple of years.”

“A man who appreciates all things beautiful.”

The doorbell rang. Dominique stood up. “That's probably Jackie. I'll go get his things.” She left.

Kevin nudged Marcus awake. “Come on. Your aunt's here to take you home.”

Marcus blinked his eyes then sat up. When he saw that they were alone he said, “Nina said it was okay if I whispered.”

Kevin leaned in close, surprised he was talking. “Why do you have to whisper?”

“Because the man said if I talked, Mommy would die.”

H
e was waiting for a reward
. Ain't no way he was saying nothing without some financial compensation. Yeah, that was the word them big-ass lawyers always used on the TV. He wasn't no dummy. He knew what he saw was worth something, but it was taking the damn police a long time to figure it out. They'd only casually asked about information, but that was months ago and they hadn't added no reward to it. Did they really think he was going give up the goods without getting something in return?

Lyle Huntley walked to his kitchen and swore when he stepped on one of his kid's Legos. Damn things hurt like hell. How many times did he have to tell them to clean up after theyselves? Not that it was their fault, their mother acted like their new trailer was her palace or something. She never cooked or cleaned like a proper woman, just sat her fat ass on the couch barking out orders as if she ran the place. He didn't know why he stayed. His mother had warned him she was no good—maybe that was why he stayed, to prove her wrong. But after seven years and three kids—he wasn't even sure the last one was his—he was getting antsy.

Money would be a way out. His ticket to freedom was at hand and he wasn't giving it away to nobody. But it sure was taking longer than he thought it would. He wanted to tell somebody so bad he nearly spilled it at the bar after one too many drinks, but fortunately he stopped himself. He knew if he spoke, someone else could go to the police before him and take all the glory. Nah, he couldn't have that.

But maybe he had to do this another way. Police gave up too easy, but the family might be willing to pay and he knew they had money. They may be more interested in giving him a reward.

H
e had
eyes that knew too much
, Dominique thought when she found Clay standing in the hallway.

A cool smile touched his lips at the look of her surprise. “Jackie had an errand to run.”

Way too much.
She'd sensed it when she'd first seen him at the hospital and later at his house, but in the dying light of the evening, she saw it even more. He was a man who'd seen a lot in his life, most of it bad. She had to play it cool. “Well, Marcus is almost ready.”

“No rush. I wanted to talk to you.”

That was what she was afraid of. “Me?”

“Does Kevin know about you?”

“I don't—”

“I may look like a right git to you, but I assure you I'm not. So there's no need to play games with me, Ms. Cartwright.”

“Kevin knows.”

“How much?”

“Do you expect me to play my hand without showing yours?”

He folded his arms. “You think I'm hiding something?”

“I know you are.”

“Why? Because you're hiding something bigger?”

Before she could respond, Kevin came into the hallway holding Marcus. “Clay, good. There's something you need to hear.”

Now that he could whisper, Marcus told them about the man, but wasn't able to describe the man in any detail. When they'd shown him a picture of Reginald Avery, he shook his head. They also asked if the scary man had been in the back seat with him and he said no. Not wanting to overwhelm him with questions, they let him go play a video game with Ferguson.

“I think it's about time we start working together,” Clay said. “No more secrets. I'll tell you what I know.” He pointed to Dominique. “I know she's not your driver. That she's the daughter of the owner of Cartwright Cars and her father, or someone with money, doesn't want the accident solved.” He briefed them on what his friend, Nicolas, had told him then nodded to Dominique. “Your turn.”

“It wasn't an accident,” Dominique said. “Cassie wasn't a target, it was a mistake.”

“A mistake?” Kevin said stunned.

“Yes, you…you got the wrong car,” she said, repeating what her father had told her.

“When did you find this out?”

She hesitated, then gathered her courage. It was time to tell the truth. “After…I learned that Cassie had been shot, I went to my father demanding answers.”

Kevin folded his arms and sent her a hard look. “And you didn't tell me this because…?”

“I wanted to find out more.”

“You wanted to protect your father,” Kevin said.

“That's not it.”

Kevin shook his head. “Every time I start to trust you, you give me a reason not to.”

“It was you I was trying to protect, not him.”

“How noble.”

Clay gave a delicate cough. “Can we have this lover's quarrel later?”

They both glared at him.

“He actually had my necklace bugged,” Dominique said, eager to prove her point. “Trust me, we're on the same side.”

“At least we have one thing cleared up,” Clay said. “Based on what Marcus remembers, there wasn't a fourth passenger. You didn't pick up anyone.”

“Then how did Cassie get shot?”

“It could have come from the outside.”

“The police didn't find any bullet holes,” Kevin said.

“But after what Clay's friend told him they may not have been looking hard,” Dominique said.

“Who was the real target?” Clay asked.

“I don't know yet,” Dominique said.

“Do we really want to know?” Kevin said.

Clay and Dominique looked at him, stunned. “Of course we do,” Dominique said.

Kevin shook his head. “I don't think you two are seeing the big picture here. Someone threatened a kid, and attempted to kill Cassie or myself thinking we were somebody else. Someone with money tampered with police evidence. I don't know about you, but finding out who's behind this won't help Cassie.”

“You expect me to step back and do nothing?” Clay asked.

“You've done enough. We got the answer we wanted.”

“No, you did. You're off the hook because you know you weren't to blame.” He flashed a cold smile. “I knew you were lazy, but I didn't think you were callous. You really don't think about anyone but yourself.”

Kevin rested a hand over his heart. “Should I get a box of tissues?”

Clay's face changed. “You really are a—”

Dominique held up her hands. “We're on the same side, remember?”

“No,” Clay said, shaking his head. “He isn't one of us. He isn't even like us. There's no one he's loyal to. No one who depends on him. He doesn't need answers because as long as he's all right everything's fine.”

“I bet you wish I was in a coma instead of Cassie,” Kevin said.

“Every day,” Clay replied, his tone marked with loathing.

Kevin shrugged. “You're right. I'm not like you and I make no apologies for it.” His gaze darkened. “But don't forget who you're talking to. I know you have your own reasons for seeking answers that has nothing to do with family loyalty. Chasing after shadows won't make Cassie wake up.”

“Neither will pretending they're not there.”

“I know shadows are there,” Kevin said. “They've always been there and they always will be. As long as the sun shines there will be shadows.”

Clay stood. “I am not going to let someone get away with threatening my nephew.”

“Are you prepared to make Jackie a widow?” Kevin shot him a look. “You're a married man who continues to act like a single one.”

“Jackie knows—”

“That she can't fight you. That you'll see this through no matter what.”

“Don't tell me about my wife.”

“Then stop setting out to be the martyr, the sacrificial lamb. Are you willing to make Jackie go through the fear of losing you again?”

Clay slowly sat, holding Kevin's gaze. “I uncovered that cult and took the poison because—”

“Everybody knows why you did it. You were deemed a hero. You saved others, but Cassie told me how Jackie suffered while you were in the hospital. When are you going to start thinking about her when you race into danger?”

“I always think of her,” Clay said.

“Before or after?”

Clay narrowed his eyes.

Dominique leaned forward. She didn't know what they were talking about, but knew it had been something dangerous. “Let's put our personal prejudices aside and just look at the facts, shall we?”

The two men continued to stare at each other.

“We can't just walk away from this,” she added. “But I admit we have to be careful.”

Kevin shifted his gaze to hers. “The question is what price are you willing to pay to learn the truth?”