Leather and Lace (Tempered Steel Book 2) (11 page)

Chance went on to tell how Angel acted as decoy while the brothers rescued him. “Unfortunately, what we didn’t know was the guy the fat man left to guard you was Jax. We’d never met him. Ben had asked him to get you out of there any way possible. He was untying Sam as we got there.” Chance looked at Sam, then away. “There was a bit of confusion at first, but I guess everything worked out in the end.”

“A little confusion?” Sam stated incredulously. “You knocked the poor bastard out cold. If Brandon hadn’t taken the gag out of my mouth, you probably would have left him to the goons we heard coming down the hall. He’s family, man. Blood or no blood.”

He turned to Angel, “See? I told you I had everything under control.” She laughed and reached over to kiss him.

Chapter Twelve

“Angel, honey, I don’t mean to tell you ‘bout your business, but this place needs some pumpkins or ghosts, or something. It is Halloween.”

Angel shared a grin with Georgia, who had stopped by for lunch. Miss Maisy had taken to coming over every day to check on Angel and make sure the place was secure. She told Angel it was her civic duty. Angel personally thought it was so she could have an excuse to check out the store and still hold her head up at the Baptist Church.

“Well, Miss Maisy, if you’d like to go out to the back cellar and grab some decorations, that’s where I keep them,” Angel politely returned.

“I can’t go down there! My knees are bad, you know. You there,” she pointed to Georgia. “You’re a strong girl. You go on down and grab me some props.” She patted Angel’s arm. “Now don’t you worry. We’ll have this place looking Halloween festive in no time.” She herded Georgia down the hall to the back door, mumbling about lace looking like cobwebs.

Angel sighed and exchanged a grin with Adam. “If you need a break, I don’t think anyone is going to mess with me while Miss Maisy’s here. There’s sandwiches in the kitchen and Frankie left some banana bread, if you’d like.”

The security guard nodded and headed back to the kitchen. “You know I’m going to miss the good food when I leave.”

Angel thought he’d miss Frankie too. She hadn’t missed their whispered conversation or the way Frankie was spruced up when she came into work. Adam better watch out if Frankie set her sights on him. He’d be a goner for sure. She laughed as she heard Miss Maisy giving Adam instructions on how to make his sandwich.

Georgia passed down the hall and stopped as she reached Angel’s office. “I need a key.”

“What key?”

“The key to the lock on the cellar.”

“Oh! It’s sitting under the gnome next to it,” Angel replied.

“No, it isn’t and didn’t you know that’s the first place burglars look. It’s like putting up a big arrow saying, ‘Look here! I placed the ornament close so you wouldn’t have any trouble finding the key under it’.”

Angel huffed. “Well, I never go down there except to bring up decorations. I started storing them in one of the spare rooms this year so the only stuff left down there is for Halloween thru Christmas.” She looked around her office. “Where did I put that key?”

“Problem?” Adam walked into the room.

“I can’t find the key to the cellar,” Angel mumbled.

“Well, I’ve got bolt cutters in my trunk. You can send Miss Maisy to get you a new lock and key,” he replied.

Angel leaned over as Adam and Georgia did the same. She whispered, “Perfect! By the time she gets back, it will be too late to decorate and I can do it tonight.”

Georgia grinned. “Good plan. She mentioned something about filling out the bra cups with little pumpkins.”

Adam rolled his eyes and left to get the bolt cutters. Georgia went to tell Miss Maisy what they needed. Angel watched them walk around to the back of the house as she sat down at her desk. After a few minutes, the back door opened and Georgia came down the hall. She walked over to the desk.

“Angel, I know you have this lingerie boutique, and the other thing online…” Georgia blushed. “But, honey, is there something else you’re selling?”

Angel was nonplussed. “What are you talking about?”

Georgia motioned for Angel to follow her outside. Adam stood next to the cell door with a fierce frown. “Want to explain this?”

Angel was completely confused now. “What?”

Georgia took her hand. “Go on down, Angel.”

With trepidation, Angel took the steep steps into the cellar. Made out of rough rock and cement, it was little more than a small cave. A lone light bulb hung from the ceiling, barely illuminating the room. The decorations were clearly marked for Halloween and Christmas, but it was what was on the other side of the room that caught her eye. Rows of packages shoved against the wall from floor to ceiling. On the floor, a package had been torn open and its contents spilled.

With a shaking hand, she bent to touch the tiny package of powder.

“Don’t.” Adam grabbed her hand. “We’ve contaminated the place enough.”

Angel pulled back. “I don’t understand. Where did this come from? What is it?”

“It’s heroin,” Adam replied. He reached out to grab her as she swayed. “Angel! Look at me! I know this isn’t yours.” He gave her a little shake. “We need to find out who did this, though.”

She looked at Adam, then at Georgia, standing guard by the door. “I need Sam.”

“I’ll call him. Come out and don’t touch anything.” Adam reached for his phone.

Georgia led Angel out and into the brisk autumn air. “It’s like last time, Angel. Only someone is setting
you
up.” She gathered her in for a hug. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but honey, could it be Sam?”

Angel pulled back in horror. “No! No, Sam would never do this to me. He loves me, Georgia.”

“He’s a stubborn man, Angel. Are you sure he forgives you? I hate to say it, but you have to at least consider it. Maybe he set this up and then had a change of heart. We discovered it before he could remove it.”

Angel pulled out of Georgia’s arms and faced her. “Stop! You do not know Sam! He would never hurt me like this.” Angel ran an agitated hand through her hair.

“Angel, honey, men don’t always think straight. He has hated you for ruining his life and sending him running. He liable to do anything to hurt you,” Georgia pleaded softly.

Angel looked at her friend. She knew she was sincere in her fears. She could see that plainly on her face. But she didn’t know Sam, her Sam. No, she didn’t know their love. “He’s not like your father, Georgia. Sam is an honorable man.”

Georgia blanched and turned away, but not before Angel saw her tears. “Think what you want then. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Georgia, stop. I’m sorry. I, I just know it’s not Sam.” Angel reached for her friend. “Please, honey. Help us figure this out.”

Georgia nodded. Wiping her tears, she said, “You mentioned something about a job when the guy attacked you. Maybe this is the job he referred to.”

“It’s possible, but only a small portion of the problem.” Adam walked back over to them. He glanced at the girls. “No way he hauled all this in at one time. This,” he waved to the cellar, “has been going on awhile. So who’s been here on a regular basis?”

“Aren’t you going to call Ben?” Angel whispered.

“Nope. Orders are to stay with you until Sam gets here,” Adam replied.

Angel ignored the fact that he saw Sam as the boss in lieu of the issue at hand. “Isn’t that illegal, Adam?”

Adam grinned. “Let’s just say it’s on a need to know basis. Sam will tell me when Ben needs to know. After all, my job is to protect you. Getting you arrested might hinder that.”

Angel heard the roar of the motorcycle flying down the main street of town. “If he’s not careful, he’s going to be the one in jail.”

Sam pulled into the parking lot. He was off the bike and grabbing Angel before she had time to say anything. “Are you okay?” He hugged her.

He felt so good. Angel allowed herself to melt into his embrace. Nothing ever could match the warmth of Sam’s love. He squeezed her tighter then slowly let her go. “It’s going to be all right. Show me.”

She led him down the cellar stairs as Adam and Georgia stood watch. Angel noted how Sam changed as he stared at the quantity of heroin stored in her shop. He seemed to grow taller, colder, and more remote. He turned to her. “I’m going to kill whoever tried to do this to you, baby. You have my word on it.”

He grabbed her again. She didn’t realize she was crying until he wiped her tears. “If it upsets you that much, I won’t kill him. I’ll just hurt him real bad.”

She tried to smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Sam. But you can’t be involved. The town will talk, just like last time. Let Adam do it.”

“Adam,” Sam saw red. He growled as he pushed her away. “That fucker’s had plenty of opportunity…”

“No, Sam!” She hurried up the steps.

Sam was on Adam, the two men grappling on the ground. Sam reared back, slamming his fist into Adam’s jaw. “You bastard! She’s done nothing to deserve this.”

Adam got a foot against Sam’s stomach and flipped him head over heels. Adam was off the ground and crouching low before Sam was on his knees.

“It wasn’t me! Shit, Sam,” he flexed his jaw. “That hurt.”

“Well, there’s more where that came from, mother fucker,” Sam panted as he barreled into Adam, sending them both back into the dust.

“Stop!” Angel tried to grab Sam’s arm as Georgia reached for Adam. Both women were yanked off their feet and away as a spray of cold water hit the men. While Chance held Georgia and Nick had Angel, Brandon wet down the two combatants.

“Keep it up, gentlemen, and I’ll charge admission to the mud fight,” Brandon stated.

Adam reluctantly moved off Sam. With his right arm, Sam took another swing at Adam. “Dammit, Sam! I didn’t do it. Now calm the fuck down and let’s figure this out.” Adam touched his ribs and winced.

“What the hell’s going on? You’re lucky we saw you roaring down here when we were heading to Montana’s for a beer,” Nick stated as Brandon went to wind the hose back and put it away.

“Heroin in the cellar. A lot of it. Someone’s setting Angel up,” Sam mumbled as he spit blood. Angel fished a tissue from her pocket and began dabbing at his cut lip.

Georgia went to check on Adam’s injuries. “Let’s take it inside. Miss Maisy’s going to be back anytime now, and we need those decorations in the house so she has no reason to question what we’ve been doing here. Then we can figure out what’s going on,” Adam thanked Georgia and started for the house.

Brandon came around the corner. “We’ve got bigger problems than Miss Maisy. I think I found your attacker. He’s dead.”

“From the letter opener?” Angel cringed. She remembered how it felt to drive it into his eye socket.

“Nope. Probably from the hammer used to bash his skull in. Animals have been at the body, but it’s still identifiable. And so is the hammer….it’s a CCC emblem stamp. Pretty damn convenient, laying there.”

Nick stated what they were feeling. “Shit.”

Chapter Thirteen

Concluding that the less people involved, the better, Chance took Georgia home. Adam left too, after giving the brothers a stern warning to stay out of the cellar. “You don’t need more shit raining down right now. Let Sam handle it.”

He nodded to Sam, letting him know they were square.

Sam took it for the olive branch it was. “I’ll call in a cleaner. No worries.”

Angel turned on him. “You will do no such thing. I know what a ‘cleaner’ is. No one had anything to do with this, and Ben will see that. Give him some credit. Besides, you’re retired. You ask favors and they will pull you back in.”

“You sound as bossy as Dixie.” He smiled at her. “He owes me a favor, babe. It will be fine.”

“I agree with Sam,” Nick stated. “Problem solved.”

Brandon huffed. “Problem not solved. You are talking about illegal activity. This is tied to Coalson Construction. There could be clues.”

“Sorry, Brandon, but if it’s a choice between Coalson Construction and Angel going to jail…”

Angel covered his mouth. “I’m not going to jail and you are not going to get a cleaner. We are calling Ben. Brandon, here comes Miss Maisy. Head her off, please.” She took Sam’s hand then grabbed Nick’s as well. “Let’s go gentlemen. I need a drink and I think you do too.”

Ben arrived in less than five minutes. It was enough time for Sam to change out of his wet clothes and Brandon to get a curious Miss Maisy out the door, but Sam had no fear that she’d be back and bringing the gossip mill with her.

“So, Brandon was the one to find the body,” Ben inquired with a look to the younger brother.

“Yes Sir,” Brandon replied.

“Why were you out there?”

This is where it gets a bit tricky
, Sam thought. He was leaning against Angel’s desk, arms crossed over his chest. He looked bored, but inside, he was ready to explode.
C’mon Brandon, you can do this.
Brandon was even nobler than Mac. He’d have a hard time lying. Sam willed him to just skirt the truth.

“I smelled something bad. Thought an animal had died. I was going to drag it away from the house.”

Ben regarded him for a moment. “And that’s when you noticed the body?”

“Yes sir. I got back here fast and Angel called.”

“Did you notice the hammer?”

“Yes sir. It’s our hammer.”

“Pretty convenient, don’t you think?” Ben asked. Brandon stared back at the sheriff, not blinking.

Ben sighed. “Stop acting so nervous, boy. I know you didn’t do it. I know none of your brothers did it.”

“And Angel?” Sam rumbled.

Ben shook his head. “No. This is too convenient. If you had done it,” he glanced at Sam, “or any of the Coalson’s, no one would find that body. Same goes for the people you love.” He smiled at Angel. “No, this is clearly a set up. I’ve had my men cord off the area for now and the coroner’s finishing up. At least you know what happened to your attacker.”

Ben motioned for Sam to follow him out. “If this is tied to Coalson Construction, and I think it is, our perp is getting bolder and deadlier. I want security on
everyone
from here on out. Don’t think anyone is safe. This guy’s gone from vandalism, to arson, to attempted murder and, now, murder. Call in your favors, boy, to protect your family.” Ben slapped him on the back and took his leave.

Sam mulled that over as he joined his family in the house.

*****

Nick and Brandon took their leave after Angel prepared a quick meal of meatball stew and Cheddar Biscuits for all of them. Sam was more than ready to take Angel to bed but he had one more thing to do. “I’m going to call in that favor, Angel. Ben finds out about the heroin, and all bets are off. He will have to take you in.”

Angel knew he was right. “Please, promise me you won’t go back.” She grabbed his hands. “Please. Promise me.”

He kissed her cheek. “Baby, nothing is going to keep me away from you ever again. I promise.” He went into her office to make the call.

Angel wandered around the house, turning on lamps and putting away the vestiges of their meal. It didn’t make sense. Who had access to the house and wanted to hurt her? She dismissed Frankie immediately. They were sisters and partners. Should she call her and let her know? She had so much on her plate right now with her father’s illness, Angel felt ashamed for even thinking it for a second.

She headed down the hall to the main rooms of the boutique. She knew Sam had locked up but she would just double check.

“Hello, Angel.”

Angel jumped in shock as Bob stood just inside the door. She began to shiver when she noticed the gun in his shaking hand.

“How? You scared me.” She tried for a semblance of calm.

He held up her house keys. “I needed them when I started moving the product into the cellar.”

She remembered her frantic look for her keys the day she heard Sam had been in the fire. “That’s why I couldn’t find them. I thought I had lost them.” She shook her head. “Why, Bob? Why are you doing this?” If she could keep him talking, Sam would come. He’d hear her talking and come to investigate.
Oh God, what if he saw Sam first?
No, she’d keep his eyes on her.

Bob ran a hand over his hair. He looked at her in despair. “I’m sorry, Angel. I am. But I’ve got debts to some bad people. It’s the only way out. I do this one job and I’m clear. He told me so.” The gun in Bob’s hand shook. Angel blanched.

“Who? Who told you, Bob?” Angel whispered.

“Yes, tell us, Bob.” Sam came up quietly behind the smaller man, his gun poking in the small of Bob’s back. “You’re going to tell us and then you and I are going to have a private chat.” Sam’s voice grew colder with each word. “Now, lower your gun.”

Bob crumpled in defeat and started to lower the gun. He began to cry. “I’m sorry. I can’t. They’ll kill her if I don’t.” With a swift move, Bob aimed and fired.

“Angel!” Sam screamed in anguish. He threw Bob to the side. Bob turned, firing wildly as Adam crashed through the oval glass door. Sam put three shots into Bob’s lungs and head. Angel was down, her eyes closed, blood splattered over her body.

Sam frantically checked Angel for wounds. He spotted the slice and burn across her left arm as she opened her eyes. “It’s just a graze, baby.” He hugged her tight.

“Adam!” Angel struggled in Sam’s arms. She motioned to the front hall where Adam and Bob both lay motionless.

“He’s hurt! Sam, we have to help him.” Sam continued to hold her, crooning that she was safe.

“Sam! Help Adam!” Angel shook him, penetrating his haze of fear. When he loosened his grip, she crawled to her friend.

Scrambling over Bob’s body, Angel reached Adam. Blood poured from his stomach, wetting his shirt. “Please Adam, hold on. Please,” Angel whispered.

Adam took her hand. “It’s a damn shame he saw you first, you know.” Adam coughed. “Had to be Bob. Only one both you and Frankie trusted to come and go. Came back to tell Sam and to stay with you.”

Angel’s tears fell free. She was losing her protector, her friend. She could feel his life slipping away. She kissed his cheek.

“You tell Frankie she made the best banana bread I ever tasted,” Adam sighed. His eyes fluttered, then opened to focus on Sam. “Take care of her, brother.” His eyes closed for the last time.

Sam heard the sirens in the distance. He held Angel as she sobbed for the loss of her friend.

****

The Coalsons met Sam and Angel at the police station. After explaining the circumstances of Bob’s death and his part in the heroin delivery, Sam was more than ready to take Angel home. Even after the paramedics bandaged her up and assured him that she was fine, he wanted her home, in bed, with him, where she belonged. Except, he thought with a frown, her home was now a crime scene.

He looked over at his father. “Going to need a place to stay for a few days.”

His father nodded and stood up. “Your mom and I will get everything ready. You take care of your wife.”

Ginny hugged both of them. “We’ll see you at home.” With a small wave, they were gone.

“So he said ‘they would kill her’ if he didn’t kill Angel?” Ben asked Sam.

“I don’t think he was talking about me,” Angel whispered. “I think someone he cared about could be in danger. When we went out,” she glanced at Sam, then away, “he mentioned a woman he had cared for, who he was dumb enough to let get away.” She shuddered. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know her name.” She dried her tears with a tissue.

“Baby, don’t worry. We’ll find her. I’ve already got a file on Bob.” When she looked askance, he continued. “You were interested in him, so I was interested in him.” Sam gathered her onto his lap. “I’ll put Jax on it as soon as we’re done here.”

Angel sighed and snuggled against Sam.

“So now we’ve got someone who is bent on destroying our family, plus drug running, and an unknown woman to find?” Nick asked.

“It’s all connected, Nick. I can feel it,” Ben stated. “We’ve just got to connect the damn dots.”

“Find the money trail, Ben. Check out this drug runner. Maybe he’s working with the vandal.” Sam grimaced.

“I don’t know who you boys pissed off, but you sure did. And the Vegas angle, anything there?” Ben asked.

“Lucky’s in place and gathering info. We’ll know more in a few days.” Nick returned.

“So take your family home and try and get some sleep.” Ben looked at Angel. “It will be a few days before I can let you back in to your place. You stay with Sam.”

He turned to growl at Nick. “And for God’s sake, don’t go off half cocked again, gentlemen. You may have stirred a hornet’s nest none of us are prepared to deal with right now.”

“We’ll lay low, Ben,” Brandon opened the door to leave. “At least until we’ve got something else to go on. Then all bets are off.”

“I don’t care what’s on the horizon. They come after us again, we’ll go to war.” Nick opened the door. Ben nodded as the brothers filed out. He didn’t envy whoever was doing this. The Coalsons were going to make their retribution very long and painful.

****

Down in the basement at the Jersey County Jail, Jeb Hawkins reclined on the prison issue cot roll in his holding cell and wished he was anywhere but here. His big plans of getting rich and getting the hell out of this town went up in flames as sure as the Coalson offices. His wife was divorcing him, his kids wouldn’t even write him a damn letter while he was here, and that son of a bitch that hired him left him holding the shit bag of trouble he had caused, without even paying for the last job.

“Hey, Hawkins,” Jeb heard the door close as the deputy came toward him. “You got a visitor.”

Jeb took in the dark haired man in the three piece suit. His eyes widened as he came to the man’s face. He knew who he was, but he had no idea what he wanted. The man regarded him with cold, black eyes. He smiled and Jeb shivered.

“Mr. Hawkins. I would like a moment of your time. I believe you may have some information that may be of interest to me. I can make it worth your while.”

“How so? You gonna get me out of here?”

“As to that, given your current circumstances and the respect the Coalson family has in this quaint community, it would, perhaps, be in your best interest to stay under lock and key. However, if you would prefer, I can have you released on bond or the accommodations improved here if you decide to stay. Consider, however, if you are released, you will be indebted to me as the favor I ask of you is small compared to the amount of bond required to acquire your release.”

Jeb swallowed. “I say you let me out and then I give you the info and we’re square. You need it or you wouldn’t be here.” He nodded his head.

“Mr. Hawkins, you are, indeed as foolish as I imagined. Or perhaps you do not understand your predicament. While you are here surrounded by law enforcement, who is protecting your wife, your children? Family is all that you have left, Mr. Hawkins. It would indeed be a shame to lose them as well.”

Hawkins sneered. “Screw them. You see any of them here. Nothing but a bunch of ingrates, always wanting shoes or books or some such shit.” He waved his hand in the air and turned away. “You try and scare me with that, you made a mistake.” Jeb plopped down on his cot and regarded his visitor.

The man stared back at him. “And what of Mac Coalson?”

Jeb sat up straighter, an evil grin splitting his face. “Now we’re talking. That bastard’s been a thorn in my ass for years. Thinking he was better than me. I showed him. I burned his damn business down.”

The man grimaced. “Yes. You showed him – you’re in jail and he’s with his family. And that’s what I meant. How does Mac Coalson feel about his family? His wife? His mother and father? His brothers?”

Jeb came off the cot in a flash. “He loves them more than anything.”

“Then that is his weakness. His brother, Samuel, has caused me immeasurable difficulty with the drug bust. That needs to be remedied. While Mac has also offended my colleague. I feel the need to repay him in kind.”

Jeb smiled in understanding. “You want to hurt Mac Coalson, you go for his family.”