Lavender Beach (30 page)

Nineteen

E
astlyn found it odd that Brent wanted to meet this far out of town.

Making the turn into Eternal Gardens, she noticed the place was deserted. Even in broad daylight, she felt a heightened sense of creepy. Relieved when she spotted Brent sitting in his SUV at the entrance, she got out of the Bronco and went over to his vehicle.

He didn’t see her at first because his shoulders were hunched, his eyes glued to an iPad. He was pecking away at the digital screen when she walked up next to his car.

She tapped on the glass and watched as he jumped out of his skin.

“Sorry about that. What’s up? Where do you want to do this?”

Brent stretched his back, rolled his head around on his shoulders to work out the kinks. “Let’s take a walk.”

They strolled through an iron gate that led into the first sea of headstones. They were several yards into the park before he finally stopped and looked around.

The word covert popped into her head.

Brent ran a hand through his raven hair, paced several steps away, and then back again until he stood in front of her, face to face. “I’ve thought about this situation nine ways to Sunday. I’m considering taking you up on your offer as long as you agree to two of my conditions.”

“And they are?”

“We’re doing this in two stages. First, you go out there to do recon, gain intel, take pictures if possible of the lay of the land. Second, you try to make a buy. When you go in to make contact, you have to wear a wire. Any time you set foot inside that compound, you wear a wire. That part is non-negotiable.”

“Okay. What else?”

“You go in as a member of law enforcement. When I took this job the town council gave me the authority to hire a police officer down the road. This is down the road. It wouldn’t be permanent, just until this mission is completed and we get clear answers as to what’s going on at the Thorwald place. Is that agreeable to you?”

“So, I’d be a temporary police officer until we wrap this up?”

“That’s the idea. If you don’t have a sidearm, I’ll take care of that.”

“Okay. So what’s the plan?”

Brent eyed her for several long seconds. “Just like that? You don’t want to think about it?”

“This was my idea. Remember? I’m in.”

“Okay. Since you arrived in town there’ve been rumors floating around about your major drug problem. We’re going to exploit that.”

Fascinated, Eastlyn plopped down on a concrete bench at the edge of the grass. “So I’m starring in my own sleazy movie for the summer and didn’t even realize I’m the main attraction? Bummer.
And
you want me to make it look as though I’m strung out, looking to pick up any work I can get to raise the money I need for a dime bag? Is that where you’re going with this?”

“You’re perceptive. Everyone knows you hold down three jobs as it is. The ruse that you need the money for drugs should work.”

Eastlyn rolled her eyes. “Well, you already know I was at the AA meeting this afternoon. Nothing happens in this town you don’t know about. Will that be a problem?”

“No, in fact it goes along with the idea that you’re desperate for help. And I resent the idea that I know everything that happens here. I don’t make a habit of sticking my nose into people’s personal lives unless they break the law.”

“Oh, please. That may work for some people but it’s like you have built-in radar or something. Otherwise, how would you know where I was this afternoon?”

“Like any good cop on patrol, I saw you pull up at the church. Pete Alden founded those AA meetings there on Sunday afternoons. Those meetings go back two decades. It’s not exactly top secret they take place every Sunday.”

“Hmm, likely story. I’m still in though. I’ll let everyone think I’m still struggling with the pills. Also I might as well pretend I’m strung out enough to pick up any job I can find. But I draw the line at working the weedy lots around town collecting aluminum cans to recycle and turn in for cash. I’d like to keep a little of my dignity intact, if you don’t mind.”

Brent finally smiled. “It won’t come to that. I promise.”

“Famous last words.”

“Just remember, we’re going after a very bad guy, dangerous, who we suspect is the area’s major supplier of crystal meth.”

“Frankly, I never understood the draw to the stuff. I knew a guy in the army who had a problem with that crap before they kicked him out. It’s a nasty habit. But I can certainly play the part with a little help from ivory pancake makeup and a few dark circles under my eyes. Dab a few imperfections here and there on my face, a few splotches to make it look real and I’m certain I’ll look the part.”

Brent parked his butt on the opposite end of the bench, cast her a quizzical frown. “We’re not to that point yet. The first time you go out there it’s for recon, not a dress up role-playing scenario or a fake buy, not yet anyway. We’re going to do this my way or not at all. What do you know about the synthetic-made drug known as gravel?”

“Just what I’ve read on the Internet. It looks like pebbles, or rock candy. It can be snorted, smoked, or injected, and it’s deadly stuff.”

“It causes delirium, paranoia, and violent behavior. That’s before the body temperature spikes as high as a hundred and five and then the kidneys begin to shut down.”

“You think the Thorwalds are cooking gravel?”

“I do. Bran and Joy Sullivan have reported problems near the spread they bought for their horses.”

“I wondered if you’d bring that up. I’m thinking the Thorwalds or their friends are likely the culprits trying to intimidate Joy and Bran. Did you know they tried to get help from the county?”

“I’m aware of it. I’ve reported it in an official capacity to the sheriff’s office.” Brent pulled out a map from his back pocket and pointed to the area between Pelican Pointe and the nearby town of San Sebastian. 

“The Sullivans live here and the compound is a short two klicks from their house. Bran’s complaint described high traffic in and around this region. According to Bran, people come and go at all hours of the day and night.”

He chewed the inside of his jaw. “There’s something else. There were five cases last winter within a two-month time period at San Sebastian High School that involved gravel. My suspicion grows when Bran tells me traffic on the road leading to the compound is high school kids. That leads me to believe Judd Thorwald is the gravel supplier. I think Judd picked up where Harley Edgecombe left off. I think Thorwald’s taken over Harley’s thriving meth trade with a few upgrades.”

“Just tell me when you want me to go in.”

“You understand this is a recon mission? I want you to scope out the area. That’s it for now, nothing more than gathering data we use to formulate a plan for down the road. Understood?”

“I got it.”

“Slip in, slip out, without drawing any attention to yourself. Promise me that, or the deal’s off.”

“That’s the goal. When do you want it to happen?”

“Friday night. You’ll have to make your way through the woods to get as close as you can to the compound. I’ve drawn you a detailed map to use and noted markers to follow along the way. Under no circumstances should you try to breach the perimeter. Gain intel by taking photos of any license plates in the area and make notes of any pertinent information we could use to make a case in court. And that’s it, Eastlyn. No going in to approach any individual, or make a buy or make contact with any of the Edgecombes or Thorwalds. Are we clear?”

“Yes, I got it. And if they should catch me, I pretend I’m a druggie looking for a score. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not that dense. I got it. Now stop worrying about me. I was in the army for goodness sakes. I know how to do recon.”

Brent ran a hand through his black hair. “Then why am I already regretting this? Look, I don’t care what time you get in Friday night, I want you to call me. If I don’t hear from you I’m coming in after you. I won’t sleep until I know you’re safe.”

“Yes, Dad, I’ll be sure to do that.”

Brent stood up, pointed to the map he had spread out on his lap. “Let’s go over the plan one more time just to make sure you have the lay of the land.”

Eastlyn whooshed out a loud sigh. “With all your thoroughness, you and my unit commander might be twins—the way you think and strategize reminds me a lot of him.”

“That’s because when it comes to warfare—and make no mistake this is similar to a combat operation—there’s no such thing as being over-prepared.”

“Funny, that was his mindset, too.”

“And under no circumstances do you tell anyone about this. It gets out you’re working for me undercover and your safety could be compromised.”

“Undercover sounds so official.” She practically whispered the statement. It ran through her head at that moment just how upset Cooper would be if he found out. The word betrayal popped into her head. She had to remind herself that this was a job now. It never occurred to her to break her promise to Brent and confide in Cooper about the operation.

Determined to keep this to herself, she’d have to practice discretion and tap-dance around the subject if it came up again.

Brent must have seen the hesitation or maybe the measure of doubt in her eyes because when she looked up at him, Eastlyn saw his inquisitive stare.

“It isn’t too late to back out. If you want to change your mind, now’s the time to speak up.”

She shook her head. “No, not at all, I’m committed.”

But after Brent left her alone, guilt took over. She felt like a traitor to Cooper, especially knowing how he felt about her even mentioning the compound.

Under a layer of hazy clouds, she set out to wander among the headstones looking for one in particular.

She’d almost given up when she came across the right one. Bending down to read the inscription, she noted its simple words and unassuming style.

David Scott Phillips

Beloved Husband and Father

Died In Service to His Country

Like the plaque
at the park in town, this modest marker stood as a reminder that life was too damned hard, too damned short, and sometimes too damned unfair.

Scott stood over to the side watching Eastlyn’s eyes. “Going around once is why you want to make sure you make it count.”

Eastlyn fought for a stoic front. “That’s the truth of it. You’ll get no argument out of me.”

“Wow, that’s a first. What’s the matter, Parker, getting soft?”

“Maybe. I feel like a heel.”

“Yeah, you’re making a mistake by not telling Cooper. Keeping the new job a secret will cause problems down the road. But you already know that.”

“It’s undercover,” she pointed out in defiance. “Brent said…”

“You keep telling yourself that. You’re following Brent’s instructions to the letter. You keep reminding yourself of that.”

“Then why do I feel bad about it?”

“You’ll have to figure that one out on your own.”

“Straight answers aren’t your forte, are they? I’d get better results dialing up 1-800-Psychic.”

“You want to know what the future holds? Go get a pack of tarot cards. All I know for certain is that any type of dishonesty in a relationship comes back to bite you in the ass, eventually. But you’re gonna do what you want anyway. You don’t need me to tell you what’s right or wrong.”

Eastlyn sent him a glare. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

“Right back atcha.”

Twenty

T
he same Friday night Eastlyn had agreed to go out to the compound, she and Cooper had been invited to a party at Julianne and Ryder’s place. The couple had opened up the house dubbed Sandcastle Cottage to friends and family with the lure that a big announcement was coming.

Eastlyn had done her best to get out of going. But what excuse could she use when Cooper would’ve wanted to know why?

So at seven-thirty she stood ready and waiting for Cooper to swing by and pick her up.

When she opened the door, she saw the stunned look on his face at the outfit she’d chosen.

Cooper eyed the vision as she stood radiant and regal in a sleeveless lace dress the color of soft lilac embroidery. The empire bodice set off her waist while the flare of the skirt showed off her lanky frame.

“You just get more beautiful every time I lay eyes on you,” Cooper declared and meant it.

“The other day I spent some time with Julianne in her little shop. I had a good run. She has the most amazing inventory of outfits and jewelry to my liking and taste. You just don’t find that any ol’ place.”

“You look good in that color.”

“I do have a tendency to gravitate to shades of lavender, don’t I?” She glanced at her watch. “I didn’t hear your car.”

“That’s because I walked over. It’s such a nice night for it. I figure if we have a drink or two at Ryder’s there’d be no worries about getting home. So do you mind if we walk?”

She grinned and held up her foot. “No problem. See, I’m getting the hang of these heels like a supermodel.”