Deadly Reunion (Hardy Brothers Security Book 20) (16 page)

“Well, your dad made sure I got the final gift of his life when I got you,” James said, rubbing Mandy’s neck. He understood she missed her father terribly and never knew how to comfort her when the topic came up because his parents were both still alive and thriving. “Whoever went after Owen knew about the key. Sheila knew about it. I’m betting Owen wasn’t shy about mentioning it as a kid. That being said, we’re talking … what … at least twenty-six years here. Who waits that long to do a job?”

“Someone who thinks they’ve found the other key,” Peter replied. “I’ve placed men outside the bank where the safety deposit box is located and bribed a manager to tell me if someone tries to open the box. We can’t do anything on that front. Our one lead is the driver.”

Avery picked that moment to start crying in the other room. Emma made a move to get up, but Jeff stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“I’ll get him,” Jeff said. “I barely got to see him today. I missed the little guy.”

“Thank you,” Emma said, flashing him a heartfelt smile. “You can bring him in here after you change him.”

Jeff frowned. “How do you know he needs changing?”

Emma shrugged. “Mother’s intuition?”

“And you’re stuck now,” James added. “Whoever touches him last changes him, and that’s you now, my friend. You already volunteered.”

“Oddly it’s still better than prison,” Jeff quipped, disappearing from the room.

“Speaking of the driver, Sven has emailed me a file,” Peter said, glancing at his phone screen as it chimed. “Do you have a laptop down here where I can access it?”

“Yup.” James hopped up and retrieved his laptop from the counter, booting it up and handing it to Peter so he could work his magic. Everyone continued eating as Peter tapped away on the computer, and after a few minutes Peter lifted his head.

“Here it is,” Peter said. “There are twenty photos here. I thought we would let Finn look first and see if he recognizes anyone. If he doesn’t we’ll start running names after dinner.”

“Sure,” Finn said, wiping his hands on a napkin as he got to his feet. He grimaced as he stood, his back still sore, and Emma tentatively reached out to help him, but Finn stayed her with a pointed look. “I’m fine, sweetie.”

“I’m sorry,” Peter said, shaking his head. “I forgot you were injured. I should’ve brought the computer to you.”

“I’m still capable of walking,” Finn said, holding his back as he leaned over to study the computer screen. His eyes danced from one line to the next, finally stopping when they hit the bottom right-hand corner. “There. That’s him.”

“Ray Sexton,” Peter said, turning the computer so he could go to work again as Finn returned to his chair. No one missed the grunt Finn made as he sat, but everyone had the grace to ignore it. “The timeline fits for when Sheila would’ve been dating David. Sexton quit not long after she disappeared from the scene.”

Grady, still happily eating his dinner, leaned over to study the screen. He narrowed his eyes and leaned closer when he realized who Peter was talking about. “This guy?”

Peter nodded. “Why? Do you recognize him?”

Grady nodded and lifted his head so he was focused on the door Jeff disappeared through moments before. “He was at the security office yesterday.”

“Doing what?” James asked, surprised.

“Talking to Jeff.”

“Oh, well, that’s not good,” Peter said. “That’s not good at all.”

“
W
ait
… .”

Emma’s face was drawn and grim when James made a move to get up from the table.

“Emma, we have to question him,” James said, keeping his voice low and even. “You know that. We’re not going to hurt him or anything unless … .”

“I don’t want you going after him as if he’s a … a … criminal,” Emma said, her eyes glassy as she furiously blinked to stave off tears. “That’s not fair. It’s not right.”

James licked his lips as he glanced at Mandy, silently pleading for guidance on how to handle the situation.

“Let Emma talk to him first,” Mandy suggested. “He’s her brother.”

“He’s also potentially a runner if confronted and he’s in there with the baby,” James pointed out.

“James, that’s Emma’s baby and brother,” Mandy said, her voice firm. “It’s her decision.”

James blew out a sigh as he glanced at Finn. “What do you think?”

“I think Emma has a right to question her own brother,” Finn said, gripping Emma’s hand. “She’s not doing it alone, though. We’re a family, so I’ll go with her. She can do the talking, though.”

The grateful look Emma shot Finn was enough to twist his heart. He had no idea how she was supposed to absorb this. She’d already lost her mother, father, and childhood. Losing Jeff could devastate her.

“Let’s go, sweetie,” Finn said, struggling to his feet. “The rest of you need to stay here. Do you understand?”

“If you need us, don’t hesitate to call,” James instructed. “I’ll be right there.”

“You always are,” Finn said, linking his fingers with Emma’s as they left the room.

Emma’s body was ramrod straight as they walked into the den, her shoulders squared. Finn thought he detected a slight tremor in her hand, but he wasn’t certain if he was projecting or if he really felt it.

“You’re a poop machine, little guy,” Jeff said, his back to the couple as he snapped Avery’s onesie in place. “I don’t know how something so small can crap so much.” Jeff had the baby pressed firmly against his chest when he turned and was taken aback when he saw Finn and Emma watching him. “What’s going on?”

“We need to talk,” Emma said, licking her lips. “We have something to ask you.”

“Okay,” Jeff said, confused. “Ask away.”

Finn carefully sat in the armchair at the edge of the room, briefly pressing his eyes shut as a jolt of pain coursed through him, but remained quiet as Emma gripped her hands together and faced off with her brother.

“You’re starting to scare me, Emma,” Jeff said. “Whatever it is … .”

“Who is the man you met with at the security office yesterday?” Emma asked, opting to get right to the heart of the matter.

“Met with?” Jeff knit his eyebrows together. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Now would not be a good time to lie to me, Jeff,” Emma warned. “In fact … give me Avery.” Emma reached out, holding her breath to see if Jeff would acquiesce or hold her son ransom in some bizarre standoff.

Jeff wordlessly handed the infant over, his face impassive as Emma forced a bright smile for the confused little one before planting him on Finn’s lap. Finn cuddled the baby, rubbing soothing circles on his neck as he watched Emma take on a battle he never expected her to have to fight.

“I need you not to lie to me, Jeff,” Emma said, choosing her words carefully as she gripped her hands together. “You’re my brother and I love you no matter what, but we have a situation and if you lie to me I can’t help you.”

“Help me what, Emma?” Jeff asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Who did you meet with at the security office yesterday?” Emma repeated. “Don’t deny meeting with someone. We know you did. Grady saw you talking to him outside the storage room.”

“That guy? He was just looking for directions.”

The lie caused Emma’s heart to constrict. “We know that’s not true, Jeff,” Emma said, her voice wavering. “We know you met with Ray Sexton and we want to know why.”

Jeff had a choice: He could keep playing the part of confused brother or acknowledge the name meant something to him. Emma’s steely reserve told him that lying to her wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interests.

“How did you find out?”

“Peter pulled photos of all the drivers who used to work for David Barber,” Emma replied. “Finn identified Ray Sexton as the man who was in the garage. When Grady saw the photograph he recognized him as the same man you were talking to yesterday.”

“It’s not what you think, Emma,” Jeff said hurriedly. “I would never betray you.”

“You already have!” Emma exploded, her hands shaking as she wiped them on the front of her skirt. Her voice was so shrill it caused Avery to burst into tears.

“Crap,” Finn muttered, patting the baby’s back. “It’s okay, buddy. Mommy is okay.”

“Um, I don’t want to interrupt, but maybe I should take Avery?” Ally suggested, peering through the doorway. “I promise I wasn’t listing. I just heard the baby cry and my ovaries hurt so I came to get him.”

Finn rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he gladly handed Avery off to his doting aunt. “Your ovaries hurt?”

“They hurt every time I see him.”

“If I were Jake I’d be checking to make sure there are no holes in his condoms,” Finn muttered. “Take him. There are bottles in the refrigerator.”

Ally obediently nodded, pausing by the door for a moment. “If you need me, Finn … .” They were close. They always had been. Ally loved all of her brothers, but her relationship with Finn was something special.

“I will always need you, Ally, but right now you can help me the most by taking Avery out of here,” Finn said. “He doesn’t like seeing Emma upset.”

Ally didn’t say another word as she walked out of the room, although Finn could hear her humming lightly as she tried to calm Avery. He waited until he was sure they were gone to speak again.

“Jeff, we’re trying really hard to help you here,” Finn said. “You’re Emma’s brother and she loves you beyond reason. You have got to tell us what’s going on, though. I was shot and a man is dead. If you know something ... .”

“I didn’t realize I knew anything,” Jeff admitted, running a hand through his hair as he sat on the couch with a forlorn expression on his face. “I had no idea when it happened.”

“Okay,” Finn said, resting his hand on Emma’s hip as she glared at her brother. “Tell us what happened.”

“It’s kind of a long story.”

“Well, we have all night,” Finn prodded.

“The night you were shot I went back to the security building with Ally and Jake,” Jeff explained. “They were upset and I went up with them long enough to say goodnight to Avery and then went back downstairs.

“I was kind of … confused,” he continued. “I was still getting used to things and I thought it was such terrible timing. I was worried about you, Emma, and … I went outside for a walk.

“I wasn’t paying a lot of attention and I didn’t go far,” he said. “Just being able to breathe outside is a gift after spending so many years behind bars. When I got back to the building there was a man standing in the parking lot. It was as if he was waiting for me.”

“Sexton?”

Jeff nodded. “He introduced himself and asked if we could talk,” he said. “I had no idea who he was or what he wanted, but I got a bad vibe off of him. I told him I wasn’t in the mood to talk, but he said if I didn’t want to put my sister and nephew at risk I would do it. So I went to the bar down the street with him.”

“Ally and Jake never mentioned you leaving,” Emma said, her voice accusatory.

“They were upstairs with the baby,” Jeff said. “They probably had no idea I was gone. I didn’t want to bother them. Anyway, I went to the bar and this Sexton guy was really … odd. He asked me things about prison … and then he mentioned reading about Mom and Dad in the newspaper.

“I thought he wanted me to run drugs for him or something,” he continued. “He made me really nervous and I could tell he was packing, but I didn’t want to make any sudden moves to see what kind of gun it was or anything because he seemed agitated.

“My plan was to agree to what he wanted and then tell you guys,” he said. “Then he told me what he wanted and things kind of … spiraled.”

“What did he want?” Finn asked.

“A key.”

Finn stilled, surprised. That wasn’t the answer he was expecting. “What key?”

“The other safe deposit key, of course,” Emma said, things slipping into place. “That’s what this is all about. He killed Owen Parker to get his key and then approached you for the other key. The question is: Why does he think you have it?”

“Because I think I do.”

“Of course,” Finn muttered, rubbing his forehead. “This day just keeps getting better and better.”

“Why would you have the key?” James asked, entering the room and earning a scorching glare from Finn. “I’m sorry. I know you said not to eavesdrop but … come on … that’s not how this family rolls.”

“I didn’t realize I had the key, and technically I don’t have it in my possession,” Jeff explained. “Mom had the key.”

“But she said the driver stole the keys,” James said.

“And we all know she always tells the truth,” Peter deadpanned, moving into the spot next to James. “She lied.”

“That can’t possibly surprise anyone,” Emma said. “I’m so taking back that money we put into her commissary account. She is hateful … and evil … and she said I was fat.”

“She’s definitely hateful and evil,” Finn said. “If she ever calls you fat again I’ll beat her up … or at least send Mandy and Ally to pull her hair. You’re not fat, sweetie. Don’t ever think that.”

“I don’t care about her calling me fat,” Emma said. “Well, I care a little. I mostly care about the fact that you were shot and she lied to us.”

“Did Sheila know Finn was shot?” Peter asked.

James shook his head. “We left that part out of the discussion,” he said. “Although … we should probably check and see if she’s had any visitors. It’s too late tonight, but I can place a call tomorrow. She might’ve known about Finn’s involvement in this before we even showed up.”

“I’m going to smack her silly,” Emma muttered.

“Okay, sweetie. Take it down a notch.” Finn fought the urge to smile as he rubbed Emma’s back. “Tell us about the key, Jeff. How did you end up with it?”

“I’ve been in prison for five years,” Jeff reminded them. “I don’t have the key. I might technically know where it is, though.”

“And where is that?” Peter asked.

“Our old house.”

“That house is a hole,” Emma said, shaking her head. “It’s been condemned. The city is going to tear it down.”

“How do you know that?” Finn asked, legitimately curious.

“Because … I went to visit it after we got together,” Emma replied, opting for honesty. “I wanted to say goodbye to the old memories and focus on the new. You’ll probably think it’s schmaltzy, but I was so happy and I just wanted to put it all behind me.”

“I don’t think it’s schmaltzy,” Finn said. “I would’ve gone with you, though. That’s a terrible neighborhood.”

“I’m fine,” Emma said. “No one even noticed me. It was kind of like I was still living there actually. They had signs up about not going inside, but I ignored them. Squatters have been in there. Everything has been stripped.”

“That doesn’t mean the key isn’t still there,” Jeff said. “Before she took off Mom gave me an envelope – it was actually one of those zippered bank envelopes that you use for night deposits – and she told me to hide it for her. I thought it was a weird request, but I did what she asked.

“Then she took off like a week later and I had a whole other set of problems so I kind of forgot about it,” he continued. “Even if they tore the house down, there’s a chance the envelope is still there. I buried it.”

“I’m going to guess that part of Sheila’s story was true,” James said. “She probably stole the keys and told Ray about them because they were supposed to be partners. Then I’m guessing she took off with the keys on her own and either told Ray there were no safety deposit keys in the jar or just disappeared altogether.”

“Then how did Ray find out about the key now?”

“Maybe he read about your mother going to jail,” James suggested. “That was big news when it happened because of the standoff in the hotel parking lot. It made the evening news and all of the local newspapers. If we go through the past year’s worth of visits for your mother, I’m willing to bet money Ray Sexton is on the visitor’s list.”

“Sheila probably made a deal with him,” Finn said. “You said she needed money. I will just bet her way of getting it was supplying Sexton with the key so he could fund her life sentence, which he was probably happy to do as long as she remained silent.”

“What I don’t get is the timing,” James said. “Why is this all happening now? I mean … what are the odds Owen Parker would hire us for a job at the exact time Ray Sexton decided to murder him?”

“The answer is in this room,” Peter supplied, inclining his head in Jeff’s direction. “Owen choosing your firm was probably a coincidence. You’re well regarded and have a sterling reputation, and that’s why he picked you. Ray had to wait until Jeff was out of jail for the other part, though. He knew Jeff was the only one who could lead him to the key.”

“How did he know that?” Finn asked.

“Because my mother told him,” Emma replied. “She told Ray that she couldn’t get him what he wanted until Jeff was out of prison. Jeff was barely out twenty-four hours when Ray went after Owen.”

“And then he went after Jeff on the same day,” Finn said. “It fits.”

“I still have one question,” James said, turning his pointed gaze on Jeff. “Why didn’t you tell us all of this?”

“Because Sexton said he would kill Emma – that he would finish what our father started – if I told anyone,” Jeff said, his eyes filling with tears. “He came back yesterday to make sure I understood the threat. I was going to take him to the key then, but Grady interrupted. I didn’t protect Emma as a child. I have to do it now. He threatened Avery, too.”

“Well, we’re not going to let anything happen to Emma or Avery,” James said. “I promise we’ll keep them safe.”

“No offense, but did you make that same promise when my father escaped from prison?”