Eye of the Abductor (27 page)

On her lunch break, she walked down to J.C. Penny’s. Brance had
spilled spaghetti sauce on his favorite tie, and she wanted to buy him a new
one. In the men’s department, she carefully held the old tie beside the others,
looking for a similar one.

“Those colors are out,” she heard a familiar voice say.

She glanced up at Jill. “Some colors never go out of style.”

“How’d the wedding go?”

“Good. We were married last Sunday.”

“Congratulations.” Jill paused. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to the
hospital the night you were attacked, but I didn’t find out about it until the
next day.”

“My attacker had to be psychic. I mean the guy knew where I
parked my car and what time I’d be leaving. Amazing, don’t you think?”

Jill didn’t answer. Instead, guilt filled her eyes like an oil
spill on clear water. She was involved somehow. While Jill’s face remained
calm, her eyes totally betrayed her.

Allison returned her attention to the ties, hoping Jill would
leave. She moved down the aisle, but Jill followed. Allison finally found a tie
with the same silver, blue, and black colors with a slightly different design.

“What about Nathan?” Jill asked.

“The Wilsons know I’m back. Brance and I plan to go to an
attorney soon and start the legal process to get him back.”

“I hope it works out.”

“I’m sure it will,” Allison said. It was apparent Jill intended
to trail behind her like a lost puppy, so Allison faced her. “Our friendship is
over. I don’t trust you, Jill. I’d rather you stop pretending nothing has
happened.”

She walked toward the cash register. This time Jill didn’t
follow.

Later at home, Allison sat on the large floral sofa that had been
given to her. After resting, she prepared green beans and baked apples to go
with the roast.

Brance tapped on the door, then entered her apartment.
"Smells good."

"It's almost ready."

She recognized the distress on his face. Though still distraught
about his father, something else had to be bothering him. His tender smile
hadn’t hidden the sadness in his blue eyes.

“Is everything all right?”

“Sure. I’m just tired.”

“How’s the case coming?”

“There was another pharmacy burglary this morning.”

“Same MO as the others?”

“I'm not sure. Dreyer has taken over the investigation. I’ve been
reassigned.”

“To something better?”

“Not exactly. I’m in charge of an investigation to figure out
who’s stealing Christmas decorations from several subdivisions. At least my
caseload is lighter.”

“Oh, Brance. No.”

It had started. Brance was already being blackballed.

“It wasn’t about you if that’s what you’re thinking. I hadn’t
come up with enough leads on the other case.”

She didn’t believe him. He wanted to spare her the guilt. He had
to be suffering humiliation at work not to mention still hurting over his dad’s
remarks. “Brance, we could annul our marriage. Maybe it’s not too late to save
your career.”

“No. We have a deal. Your only hope of legally getting Nathan
back is to stay married to me. I seriously doubt being reassigned had anything
to do with you.”

***

But it did. The coldness in his coworkers’ attitudes couldn’t
have been any more defined. The news of his marriage to Allison and her implied
role in the death of a rookie cop had made it to the top brass. From the moment
he’d made the offer to marry her, he knew he’d be treading in a sea of turmoil.

Brance could take the heat.

If only he had a way to prove Rob Wilson had lied about Allison.
Maybe Escobar was right. There had to be more cops involved other than Wilson
and Reed. But who?

He wanted to know more details about the sting Wilson and Reed
had going with Johnson. He decided to swallow his pride and question his dad.
What should he call him? Somehow, Dad didn’t seem right.

“Allison, I’m going to Mom's house. Want to come?”

She turned from the stove. “But dinner’s almost ready.”

“We won’t be long.”

“Will your dad be home?”

“Probably, I need to ask him something. You can visit Mom.”

“Let me turn the crock pot off and grab my purse.”

On the ride over, Brance talked about his new case where someone
played the Grinch, taking away Christmas decorations. Despite his laughing
about the case, Allison saw the despair in his eyes.

At his parents’ home, Brance rang the doorbell. His mom opened
the door and invited them in. Her face filled with joy. “I didn’t think you’d
ever come back.”

“I need to ask Mike some questions.”

“He’s actually sorry for what he said.”

“Yeah right," Brance quipped.

His mother ignored his comment and shifted her attention to
Allison. “Your face is healed. You look great.” She opened the door wider.
“Come in.”

“Where’s Mike?” Brance asked.

“He’s in the garage, working on the vacuum cleaner. Brance, call
him Dad as you always have. Please.”

“I’ll think about it. I need to speak with him.”

“Go on out.” She turned to Allison. “Coffee?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“You can tell me about your new house.”

In the kitchen, Brance eased past the women and entered the
garage. The man he’d considered his father sat on a bench in the garage with
the vacuum flipped over.

He stared at this man who he still loved before saying anything.
“Stopped up?”

His father didn’t answer.

Brance’s gut grew queasy. Was his dad going to speak? This didn’t
seem like a man who regretted what he’d said. If anything, Mike Stone appeared
more withdrawn.

Finally, Brance made the next move. “Tell me about the operation
Rob Wilson, Collin Reed, and Jarmal Johnson ran.”

“Isn’t it too late to be asking?”

“No, because I don’t believe Allison had a clue what Wilson was
up to. I’m looking for a way to clear her.”

His dad continued to work. “Johnson would set up a deal with
South American drug lords, then tip Wilson and Reed off to the time and
location of the exchange. The two narcotic officers would waltz in, make the
bust, and look like heroes. They’d turn in less than half of what was
confiscated.”

“So how’d they get caught?”

“Greedy bastards couldn’t just settle for what they skimmed off
the top. They wanted it all. A month later, Wilson and Reed were stealing the
seized drugs from the police. Then Johnson would sell it on the streets and
split the profits between them. That’s why the Memphis Police Department
incinerates all confiscated drugs now.”

“So what went wrong?”

“Two things. The drugs were missed, so the FBI set up
surveillance points. That’s how Paige was caught on camera."

"So how'd it get back to Escobar?"

One of Johnson’s gang mouthed off to Emilio Martinez, who went
straight to Eduardo Escobar. Under Escobar’s orders, Martinez set up a trap for
the Narcotic squad and whatever black and whites showed up."

"And when did gunfire actually break out?"

"Once Jarmal exchanged the five million for the cocaine,
Narcotics stepped in to make the bust. But instead Escobar’s men opened fire.”

His father wiped his hands on a rag and continued. “When they
realized what was happening, they called for backup. Two black and whites
showed up."

"Johnny Jenkins and Dillon were the first to show up,
right?"

He nodded. "Johnny Jenkins took a hit and went down. And
somewhere in the confusion, the case containing the five million disappeared
and Escobar's shipment of coke was confiscated.”

“And what happened to Jarmal Johnson and Collin Reed?”

“Both are still in prison as far as I know.”

“Why do you think Wilson was murdered?”

His father shrugged. “Revenge. Who knows?”

“Did Johnson and Reed involve Allison?”

“No, just her husband. By the time she went to trial, they were
divorced.”

“You know where Reed and Johnson are serving time?”

“Johnson’s here in the federal prison at the Penal Farm. Reed’s
over at the prison in Forrest City, Arkansas. You’re wasting your time if you
think Johnson or Reed can clear Wilson’s wife.”

“She’s not Wilson’s wife. She’s
my
wife. Thanks for the
info, Mike.”

His dad’s brows furrowed.

“Surely you didn’t expect me to call you dad after you made me
and everyone else aware that I’m not your son. I didn’t know what else to call
you, unless you’d prefer Mr. Stone.”

His dad pushed the vacuum aside, stood, and walked inside. Brance
followed. Mike saw Allison at the kitchen table and left the room.

Brance stopped at the counter and poured a cup of coffee before
turning to his mother. “What time do you want us over Christmas Day?”

His mother’s face paled, and she lowered her eyes to the table
for a few moments. "Brance...”

An invisible knife struck deep in his heart. He decided to make
it easy for her. “I think Allison and I will sleep in that day, then work
around the new house.”

“We’ll still be unpacking,” Allison added.

“By next year everything will be smoothed over,” his mother said,
her eyes begging him to understand.

"No they won't. Things will never be the same." He
shifted his gaze to Allison. “Let’s go.”

He’d never missed a Christmas dinner in this house and now the
thought of not being welcomed angered and depressed him. His life was falling
apart, and he didn’t know how to fix it.

***

“You bastard, you promised you wouldn’t hurt her,” Jill accused,
shoving her hands against Trey Marshall’s chest.

“I just wanted to scare her enough to make her talk.”

“I told you that she doesn’t have a clue about any money or a
foreign account. No way would she marry another cop if she had that money.
She’s only marrying him, because he promised to get her kid back.”

“Stone's just after the money.”

Jill threw her hands in the air. “You just don’t get it. Allison
doesn’t know. You ransacked her apartment, and you tried to force the
information out of her. Give it a rest. You’re searching the wrong ocean for
the treasure.”

Trey grabbed Jill's arm and raised his gaze to hers. “It’s the
right one. The treasure’s there. I just have to figure out a way to bring it to
the surface.”

***

Friday after getting dressed, Brance hurried down to Allison’s
apartment and knocked. It took a few moments for her to open the door. She
looked sexier than hell in the blue robe with her hair in disarray like she’d
just crawled from a warm bed.

“Good morning, Mrs. Stone. We have a closing to attend today.
Don’t forget to be at the attorney’s office by four.”

Allison’s sleepy eyes widened. “That’s right. Oh, Brance. I can’t
believe the house will be ours after today.” She wrapped her arms around him
and hugged. “I’m so excited.”

Brance wouldn’t miss this opportunity. He looped his arms around
her and pulled her close. As he kissed down her neck, he breathed in her scent.
His body responded with an erection.

Her face flushed, and she stepped back breaking the intimate
contact. “I guess I’d better get ready.”

“Want to play first? We could make the time.”

“No, I can't be late. Neither can you.”

“This isn't about time. We’re married, Allison. It’s not a crime
to make love.”

“It is, if your marriage is strictly platonic.”

Brance ground his teeth, fighting the desire to say something
hurtful-something cruel and mean.

“Yeah, sure. Seems I should’ve included it as part of our deal.”
He reached up and removed the new tie from around his neck, the one she’d given
him at dinner the night before. “Here, buying me gifts wasn’t in the deal
either. Keep it. I’d better go see if the Grinch has stolen anymore Christmas
lights.”

***

His blue eyes appeared stormy, and his face turned to granite.
His last remark was to remind her how much he’d given up for her. For that she
felt guilty. She twisted the tie in her hands, hating that he was so angry with
her. “Brance, I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Look I know I come across as cold and calculating. It’s not
because I don’t want to make love with you. I’m actually afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“I don’t want to get hurt. I’m terrified of caring too much for
you and that you’ll be disappointed in me. I’ve only made love to Rob. Let’s
just say he wasn’t thrilled. If I’m that bad, you’ll lose interest in me and
eventually find someone else and leave me.”

“Allison, the man was a jerk. Don’t ever confuse me with him just
because I’m a cop. I’d never hurt you. I’m sorry about the tie. It was childish
of me.”

“Want it back?”

He grinned slyly. “Yeah. I like it.”

She handed it over.

He slipped it around his neck and looped it into a knot. “Look
straight?”

“Yes. You look nice.” She leaned and kissed his cheek. A weight
lifted from her shoulders, knowing he had cooled down. It shouldn’t matter, but
it did. “See you at the closing.”

Brance had been so patient with her until now. She couldn’t blame
him for being angry. He’d made a great sacrifice for her, yet she hadn’t given
anything back in return. Guilt gnawed away at her stomach.

Later that afternoon after signing a mountain of papers, the
lawyer handed them the keys to the house. Brance held the door open for Allison
as they left the attorney’s office.

“Let’s celebrate,” Allison suggested.

“I can’t. I have somewhere to go.”

“It’s already six-thirty. I thought we’d have dinner out.”

“Can’t. I’m not sure what time I’ll get back. I'm driving over to
the Penal Farm. I've arranged with the FCI to speak with Jarmal Johnson.”

“Why?”

“You’re innocent, Allison, and somehow I’m going to prove it.”

Chapter Sixteen

Brance showed the proper identification. Then a uniformed guard
escorted him to a windowless room with a conference table and a few chairs
surrounding it.