Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) (22 page)

“I have seen it myself. On the south side of your property there is a huge crop worth millions of dollars.”

She pressed a hand to her temple and began to massage. The pain in her eyes spoke volumes. She took several deep breaths. “You thought I knew? You thought I was involved with drug dealers?” A sickly color of gray, he feared she would faint. Her hands gripped the quilt on the bed. “I swear I did not know.”

He crossed the room and stopped in front of her. “I know that. I told my uncle you knew nothing of the marijuana.” He put his hands out in front of him. “Randal Collins is responsible.”

She looked fragile as she sat there digesting the information. She shook her head from side to side as if she didn’t believe him. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I have pictures of him at the site.” Hands over her face, she began to shake. He leaned over and gripped her arms. “The FBI is about to charge him. He is going to go to jail for a long time.” He decided not to tell her he might be going to jail for murder. She was having enough trouble with the fact the man she once dated was growing marijuana on her land.

With a strength he didn’t know she possessed, she pushed him away. “Don’t touch me.” Her pain had turned to anger. So much rage showed in her eyes, he took a step back. “All this time you have been investigating me?”

His heart thudded as the seconds ticked by. He didn’t know how to answer her question without making himself look like a scoundrel. “No, I knew you were not involved. I have been going out to the site gathering evidence.”

“I want to know the truth. Everything you discovered during your dirty little investigation.” She rummaged through the folders until she found what she was looking for. She gripped the file on Clay Myers in her hand. “Why was he staying in the pool house when he was a criminal? Why do you have a file on him?”

“Randal Collins sent him to kill me. He was Collins’ cousin.”

She pressed her eyes shut and took several deep breaths. Pale as a sheet she opened her eyes and gave him a direct stare. “Was?”

“He’s dead. The day the animals escaped was Clay’s doing. He let them go to get me alone. I shot him.” A hand flew to her heart and she gasped. Before he lost his nerve he spit out the rest of the story. “The six shots you heard were Josh and me defending ourselves. They tried to ambush us. We killed Mark and Clay. Tim was wounded.”

A cold tremor shot through her. “How did you get rid of the bodies?”

“My Uncle Tate sent some agents to pick up the bodies and take Tim to the hospital since he was only wounded.”

The room was deathly quiet as she digested all the information. It was a lot to take in at one time. She looked as if she would faint. “Did you sleep with me to gain information? Did you screw me hoping I would tell you that I was growing pot on my land?” Tears slipped over her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. Even though she looked as if she would drop at any minute, she stood and faced him. “Get off my property.”

He took her arms and brought her to his chest. “I never planned to sleep with you. I wanted you more than I thought possible. I was weak and gave in to my needs. I knew it was wrong to make love to you, to take your virginity but I couldn’t stop myself. Then once I had you, I wanted you again.” The pain was excruciating. He had made some huge errors and now he was paying for those mistakes.

She closed her eyes as if she couldn’t look him in the face. “I don’t believe you. You used me. I want you to leave my house this instant.”

With a finger under her chin, he forced her to look at him. “I can’t leave. Collins has not been arrested yet. You could be in danger.”

A strangled sound of distress erupted from her throat. “Take you hands off me.”

The words were said with such malice, he released his hold on her. He fisted his hands and began to prowl the room. “Please trust me, Nina. Collins is a dangerous man. I cannot on good conscience leave you without protection. I’m already torn with guilt.”

“It is you he wants to kill, not me. You brought this danger to my doorstep. If you wouldn’t have come, he would never have had a reason to hurt me. It is you he hates.”

He rounded on her and grasped her shoulders. “I’m sorry you feel this way, but I will not leave you knowing he might do something. The man is sick and feels the law cannot touch him. It is possible his father is also involved.”

Now he felt he had no other choice but to tell her about the murders. It was the only way to make her understand how serious the situation was. “Randal Collins is a suspect in several murders. An undercover FBI agent was killed. My uncle thinks he gave the order to have him murdered. Night before last several men were killed at another marijuana growing operation fifty miles from where Collins is growing pot on your land. My uncle suspects Collins was involved. He may have even helped in the murders.” His throat knotted with emotion. “Let me stay until Collins is behind bars and then I’ll leave.”

Strong fists started hitting his chest. Tears rolled over her cheeks. “No, I want you out of my life now. I’ll never trust you. You came here, gained my trust, made love to me. None of it meant anything to you.” She pushed away from him. “I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

Grant realized nothing he could say would change her mind. She needed time to calm down. He turned, gripped the doorknob, and opened the door. Behind him he could hear her pitiful cries. Before he stepped across the threshold, he offered, “I do have feelings for you, Nina. It did mean something to me.” Without looking back he shut the door.

She fell to the floor the instant the door shut. A cry escaped her lips as her life fell apart. She knew when she started the relationship with him there were no promises. Yet, she couldn’t help her feelings. She loved him.

All the years she waited for the perfect man and she fell in love with a heartless bastard. He came to Twelve Oaks with the pretense of needing time to heal after being injured in Iran. In reality he came to spy, to snoop into her life to see if she was a drug dealer. She placed her hand to her chest, to her shattered heart. Last night he made love to her and the memory was so vivid in her mind. The tender touches, the tender words. All of them were lies.

It took some effort but she pushed herself off the floor. On shaky legs she stumbled to the house. Struggling to compose herself, she gripped the phone on the kitchen counter and punched in Beth’s number. The only person who could help her through the pain and grief was her sister.

Chapter Seventeen

Grant grimaced when Beth pulled up in front of the house. For the past three hours he had sat staring out the window waiting for Nina to come out. He felt it would be better to talk to her away from the house. The tomatoes needed picking and he was surprised she wasn’t already in the fields.

Long, angry strides took the gorgeous red head to the door quickly. She opened the door and disappeared inside. “Beth’s here.”

Josh turned the TV off, slipped off the bed, and moved to his brother’s side. “That one has a fiery temper to match her hair. I hope she doesn’t shoot you. I think I’ll go check on the horses.”

Grant grabbed Josh’s arm holding him in place. “Don’t you leave me. You know how close Nina and Beth are.”

Josh struggled to get free. “I don’t want to get wounded in the crossfire. I got a feelin’ Beth would kill to protect Nina and Lacy. I’d rather go a round with you than have an angry woman breathing down my neck.”

About that time Beth slammed the front door of the house and marched toward the barn. Grant stood and wished he could hide. He sure dreaded the confrontation he knew was coming. He pushed Josh toward the door. “Let’s meet her on the porch. That way if we have to run we’ll have a better chance of getting away.” While he was trying to make light of the situation, he was a little scared. Many times he had faced a dangerous enemy while in Iraq and Iran, but he feared Beth even more.

“This is your problem, brother. I’ll wait for you here.”

Grant opened the bedroom door and shoved his brother into the next room. “You don’t have any other alternative. You’re going in case I need help.”

By the time Beth was at the barn, the two brothers sat in the red rockers with their legs crossed waiting for her. She propped her hands on her hips and snapped, “Nina’s upset. You need to leave immediately.”

“As I told Nina, she is in danger and I’m not going anywhere. I need to be here in case Randal Collins makes an attempt on her life.”

“Are you serious? Randal Collins is out to murder you, not my sister. You’re the one with the big bull’s eye on your back. He’s in love with Nina.” Her hands waved through the air. “You’re putting her in danger and I want you to leave.” Her eyes swept to Josh. “And take your brother with you. I don’t ever want to see the two of you again.”

He stood and gripped her arms drawing her to her toes. “Don’t you see? I can’t leave. I feel responsible for Nina.”

“Take your hands off me before I bring assault charges against you.” Cold hard eyes peered up at him.

He released his hold on Beth and took a step back. There was no way to convince her he only meant to help. In her eyes he was the enemy. He was the man that broke her sister’s heart. “I will leave on one condition. Let Josh stay. He’s a homicide detective and will protect her.” Defeated, he added, “I don’t trust anyone else with her life.”

She linked her fingers together and let her gaze wander to Josh. “More lies. I thought you were between jobs.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Grant saw his brother pale. He pushed himself out of the chair and stopped mere inches from where she stood. “Listen to Grant. Nina is in danger. I’ll stay and make sure nothing happens to her.”

“There are several FBI agents posted around the farm.” Automatically, Beth’s eyes did a sweep of the area. When she didn’t see anyone, she looked at Grant suspiciously. “Trust me, they are there watching the house. They have been there since Clay and Mark were killed.”

“I’ll never trust you. You have no idea the sacrifices my sister has made. Then you show up with your pretty face and words. You have no idea the damage you have done.” Attention back on Josh she said, “You can stay. Take my advice and don’t upset my sister. Stay out of her way.” She turned on her heel and marched away.

“Well that went better than I thought it would.”

Josh asked, “What are you going to do?”

“It looks like I have no other choice. I’m going to pack.” Grant plopped into the chair next to Josh. “How long can you stay?”

Josh took a deep breath. “A few days. If you need more of my time, I’ll arrange it.”

Grant lapsed into silence. He could visualize Nina standing at the window waiting for him to pack his things and leave. She had made it crystal clear he was not welcome. “I’ll get a room at the hotel in town. I’m not leaving until Collins is behind bars.” He stood and stared at the kitchen window but he couldn’t see Nina. Yet, he knew she was there waiting and watching for his departure. “I sure made a mess of everything.”

“You found enough evidence to put a drug dealer and murderer away for life. I’d say you did pretty great.”

****

Grant had been waiting at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Raleigh for hours. As he had done ten times already, he asked his uncle’s secretary if he had called in. Again the answer was no. He paced the floor like a caged lion. Why wasn’t he answering his phone? It was almost five o’clock and his secretary would be leaving soon. In his imagination he could see his uncle lying in a puddle of blood. All kinds of terrible scenes were swimming in his head. Randal Collins knew they were on to him. He had a small army working for him and could ambush Uncle Tate and the other agents when they tried to apprehend him.

The elevator dinged and Grant twirled around praying it was his uncle. “Thank God. Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”

Tate stepped out of the elevator and kept walking. Grant caught up with him. “I knew you wouldn’t like what I have to say. Collins gave the agent assigned to watch him the slip. Word must have gotten out that we’ve issued a BOLO for him. He has gone underground. He left no trail to follow.”

His next thought was Nina might be in grave danger. “You’re going to have to assign more men to protect Nina.”

Tate opened the door to his office and sat behind the desk. “I already have four men watching the place. We don’t have the extra bodies to assign more men to watch one woman.” He pulled a file out of his desk drawer and slapped it on the huge oak desk. He peered up at Grant. “Why aren’t you watching her?”

“We had a fight. She sent me packin’. Josh is still there.” Grant placed both hands on his uncle’s desk and leaned in. “Call it a hunch, but I think she’s in danger. Please send more men to guard the house.”

“I told you I don’t have the men. More than likely Collins is half way to Mexico by now. I discovered he has a plane he keeps in a hanger at a small airport in Raleigh. It’s missing.”

Maybe Uncle Tate was right and he fled the country. There was substantial evidence against him. He took a deep breath to calm down. “I hope you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” He flipped over a paper in the file on his desk. “I have some connections in Mexico. I’ll put in a few phone calls and see if I can’t find his location and see about getting him brought back to the United States.”

Grant’s phone rang. “Hello.” As if too weak to stand, he dropped into the leather chair in front of Uncle Tate’s desk. “I’m leaving Raleigh now.”

“What happened?”

Grant pressed his fingers to his gritty eyes. “Juan didn’t get off the bus. Josh said Nina called his best friend and he said Juan never got on the bus after school.” He fought the nausea that rose in his throat. “Collins has him.”

“You don’t know that. Didn’t you mention he was having trouble with bullies at school? Maybe they are responsible for him not getting on the bus.”

“The kids at school aren’t gang members. They’re nothing more than well to do kids with nothing better to do than pick on children who are not of their class. After the last beating he gave them, I doubt they’ll ever bother him again. Believe me, Collins is responsible.”

Uncle Tate closed the file and stuck it back in his desk. “I’ll put out an Amber Alert.” Grant described Juan and gave him all the information he needed before he left to go to Twelve Oaks Farm.

On the drive he had to force himself to focus on the road. The moment he got his hands on Collins he was going to kill him with his bare hands. He wanted him to die slowly. Desperate for something to keep him from imagining all the horrible things happening to Juan, he turned up the radio and listened as C.C.R. belted out ‘Rolling on a River’. The music blared as he flew over the road at dangerous speeds. Hazards flashing, he passed one car after the other. Traffic was heavy so he laid down on his horn to get through the jam of cars and trucks. It was at least a forty-five minute drive to Nina’s, the longest drive of his life.

****

The yard was full of cars by the time Grant raced into the driveway so he had to park at the barn. Three Sheriff cars, two black SUVs, Beth’s compact, and a car he didn’t recognize lined the drive. He jogged to the kitchen door and entered without knocking. Maria sat at the dining room table with a tissue in her hand. Eyes red from crying peered up at him when he crossed the room and touched her shoulder. “I promise we’ll get him back, Maria.” She never spoke. She gave a weak smile and a slight nod. Two detectives sat at the table, both on their cell phones.

Nina and Beth were talking with three FBI agents while Josh stood between them. One of the agents was writing everything she said in a notepad. A deputy was in the midst of the suits intently listening to everything being said.

Usually he knew how to handle a situation, but this time he was at odds of what to do and say. Nina gave him a cold look letting him know he wasn’t welcome. At least she didn’t ask him to leave. An FBI agent sat at a computer, fingers flying over the keys. Grant asked the agent, “Have you gotten a call from the kidnappers yet?”

She pushed her blond hair behind her ear and smiled. “Nothing so far.”

“What if they use a drop phone or a stolen cell phone?”

“Makes no difference. I can still triangulate their position if they’re not moving. I can pinpoint their location within a few houses and then we can surround a neighborhood and go door to door. If they call, we’ll be able to find them.”

Randal Collins probably knew that and wouldn’t risk calling. What was the reason for taking Juan? Was it to get at him or Nina? Damn, he felt helpless. At the moment he wished he’d never taken the assignment to watch Nina. He wasn’t a FBI agent and felt he had made some major mistakes. Mistakes that could get Juan killed. Anger and frustration took over as he realized he didn’t know what to do.

To his shock and dismay, Matthew Collins entered from the living room. “What in the hell are you doing here?”

Hat in his hand, he replied, “My job.”

Grant shot him a single hard look. “You’ve got to be kidding me. It is your son who has kidnapped Juan.”

The sheriff’s voice held a challenge. “Those are serious accusations you’re making. My son hasn’t been charged with a crime.”

“Only because he’s gone underground and no one can find him.” In three long strides Grant stood towering over the sheriff. “How do we know you’re not involved with your son’s crimes?”

“Are you trying to turn this around on me?”

“Listen carefully because I’m only going to say it once. Someone will pay for kidnapping Juan. I don’t care if it is you or your son, but someone will be sorry.” Josh stepped between them before they came to blows. “I want you out of this house now.”

“It is not your house. You can’t ask me to do anything.”

One of the FBI agents, a tall man in a black suit, interrupted. “Due to the circumstances of your son’s involvement I think it’s in your best interest to leave, Sheriff Collins.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. “If you hear from your son, please notify us. We just want to ask him a few questions.”

The sheriff’s voice remained steady. “The charges against my son are bogus.” He pointed a finger at Grant. “This man has it out for him. All this is over a woman.” His eyes swept to Nina before he whirled around and disappeared into the living room.

Grant followed to make sure he left. He opened the door and gave him a menacing stare. “I’m leaving my men to help with the investigation.” With that said he slammed the door. Grant didn’t trust his deputies anymore than he trusted the sheriff. Someone on his payroll was a dirty cop. He would bet his life on it.

“Do you think Juan is okay?”

Lacy sat on the sofa with another young lady. Grant assumed she was her best friend Michelle. Blue eyes the same shade of Nina’s looked at him with hope. “Yes, Juan is going to be fine. No one is going to hurt him.” He sat on the arm of the sofa next to Lacy. “I promise he’ll be back where he belongs soon.” A tear slipped over her perfect cheek and he wiped it away with his thumb.

“Can I see you outside?”

Grant gave her hands a comforting squeeze before he followed Josh outside. They sat in the glider rocker on the front porch. “I’ve been doing some investigating on my own.”

“What did you find out?”

“I had all of Sheriff Collins’ deputies’ phone records checked. Ralph Comer, the man with the stout build and brown hair, made several calls to Randal Collins’ cell phone. Could be they’re just friends, but then he could be more than that. Maybe they are partners in crime.”

Grant remembered seeing him in the kitchen standing next to the FBI agents listening to everything Nina was telling them. “Maybe you’re on to something. Let’s see if we can get him alone and ask him some questions.” It was a long shot but they had to do something.