Bait, p.19
Bait, page 19
Chapter 26
“CAISEY.” GABE SHOOK his head. “Does Jenna even know about this?”
Caisey rolled her eyes. “You think I told her that her boyfriend was a spineless jerk who left her high and dry? She had enough of that from her own dad. She didn’t need it from Nic.”
“What happened with her dad?”
Caisey folded her arms. “Seriously, Nic? Now you decide to care?”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Her mom kicked her out. Her dad didn’t stick up for her; he just let her walk, like being homeless and pregnant at seventeen was no sweat.”
Nic ran a hand down his face. “What happened to her?”
“My dad brought her to my house. She’s been living with us ever since.”
“And J-Jake?” Nic’s voice broke, like just saying the name of his son broke his heart.
“Smart, so smart. For some reason he actually wants to study. It’s like everything he reads sticks in his head. It’s so full I’m surprised it doesn’t explode.”
Nic closed his eyes. Gabe laughed and clapped his cousin on the shoulder. “Sounds like genius runs in the family.”
Nic shook his head. “It’s not genius, just eidetic memory.”
“Yeah, that’s what the doctor said.” Caisey glanced between them and then settled on Nic. “You have it?”
“Yeah, I have it, though it’s not common knowledge.”
“I’m sure it isn’t.” Caisey’s chin lifted. “No doubt your dad would find some way to exploit a son who could do that. Or a grandson.”
Nic ran a hand down his face. “I want to know, but asking would make not seeing them worse. But, I need to…Are they okay? Is Jenna doing okay?”
**
Caisey studied him and Gabe prayed with every bit of faith he had that she would answer the question. “She’s busy, she loves her work. She loves Jake.”
“But…”
“Do you really want to know this?”
Nic was silent, so Gabe said, “Life is way too short. You know that, I know that. We don’t want Holden finding out about Jake, but if we do it right he won’t ever have to.”
Caisey shook her head. “I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.”
“Case, I get that something horrible happened to you, but that doesn’t mean it will happen to Jake.”
“It happened to you.” Her lips pressed into a fine line. “And what about Jenna, or my Grams?”
“What’s the alternative? What if you’re hindering something that could be perfect for her?”
Caisey shook her head. “I don’t want Jenna anywhere near him.”
“Nic or his dad?”
Her face got red. “Either of them.”
Nic shook his head. “My dad really did a number on you, didn’t he?”
Her head whipped around and her eyes narrowed on Nic. “You don’t get to talk about that. And it wasn’t just me, he tried to kill Gabe just days ago. Why do you think he looks like that?”
Nic blew out a breath. “I wanted to tell him about Jenna and he dragged me into that room with you. I’m just glad the least of what he made me do was carrying you to the car so they could take you home.”
“Take me home?” Caisey laughed, but the sound held no humor. “They pushed me out at an intersection downtown in broad daylight, for everyone to see. Do you have any idea how much it hurt when I hit the pavement?”
Nic flinched. “I didn’t know that part.”
Gabe wanted to touch her, but she looked like she’d snap. “You need to tell Jenna what you did.”
“What I did?” Her eyes were wide, her breath coming fast. “I kept my family safe from him.”
Nic’s head whipped from side to side. “I’m not the bad guy here.”
“Maybe not, but you have a direct line to the one who is.”
“What am I supposed to do about that, huh?”
“Oh I don’t know.” Caisey put her forefinger on her chin. “How about, take your family somewhere else where he won’t find you? Live your life. Make them happy. Protect them so I don’t have to spend every second of every day and night figuring out ways someone might get to them so I can keep them safe.”
“All of a sudden you want to quit?”
“No, Nic. It’s my job and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But it’s supposed to be you doing this. Sucks for them you’re too scared.”
Nic’s hands were fisted by his sides. “My sister Gloria left six months before I met Jenna. She was a few years older than me. You remember her, Gabe?”
He nodded. Gloria had been all smiles and laughter. She made Christmas at their house worth it.
“Gloria disappeared, rumor was she took off with her college boyfriend and got married in Vegas. One day she was having dinner with us and the next day her closet was cleaned out and she was gone.”
Caisey huffed. “And you’re telling us this fun story because…?”
“Because Gloria’s new husband was killed in a random drive-by, gunned down outside his office building and suddenly Gloria was home again. She stayed in her room all the time, crying, while Dad strode around like he was king of the world. She killed herself two weeks later. She didn’t want to bring a baby into our family.”
Caisey’s eyes flashed. “So you went out, armed with this precious knowledge, and got Jenna pregnant?”
“It wasn’t supposed to—I didn’t even know that happened. She should have told me.”
“You broke up with her and she was devastated.” Caisey sighed. “I’m so sorry about your sister, that shouldn’t have happened. But my only concern is my family.” She turned to Gabe. “Nic cannot have contact with them. They either disappear like you did, or he never sees them. And since I doubt Jenna would agree to give up their whole lives that leaves us one option. No contact.”
“But he found us.” Gabe blew out a breath. “He sent those two guys dressed as cops.
It’s not like they’ll be safe anywhere else.”
“They’ll never be safe from Holden, period. And neither will you.”
Gabe winced. “But Nic is Jake’s father. If it’s what he wants, shouldn’t Nic have the chance to see what can be between him and Jenna?”
Caisey shook her head. “It’s too risky. You shouldn’t have come here.”
Nic clapped his hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “I’d like to say it was good to see you, but— ” He tipped his head in Caisey’s direction. “As much as I hate to say it, she’s right.”
**
Caisey walked to her car, aware Gabe was right behind her.
“You’re just going to walk away? You’re not going to do anything?”
She spun around. “You already tried to run, and I’m sorry it was my fault he found you in Buckshot. But if my dad couldn’t get enough for your uncle to finally be convicted of something, who can?”
“There has to be something we can do.”
“There isn’t.”
“I don’t buy that.” Gabe’s face was flushed.
She understood his anger, she just processed hers differently. Which was why her hand hurt like she’d hit a brick wall. Why did Nic’s jaw have to be so hard?
“We have to take him down. We can’t live with this over our heads.”
Caisey shook her head. “How do you propose we do that? I’m not a miracle worker.”
“You’re an FBI agent. You can’t do anything about this?”
“I can see if anyone has an open investigation. I can put out some feelers and see what I can dig up that might get what we need. But prison won’t take away his power.”
“Then what’s the point of it?”
She folded her arms. “It’s justice. That’s the point.”
“Like condemning my dad?”
Caisey studied him. Did he regret what he did? His dad was a bad guy too, but nowhere near the scale of Gabe’s uncle. Which gave her an idea. “What about your dad?”
“My dad?”
“Would he help us solve the problem of your uncle?”
“Like testify?”
Caisey shrugged. “It’s been a lot of years. Maybe he really did find God in prison and now that he’s dying, maybe he’ll be willing to tell us what he knows. Give us something on your uncle’s operation that we can corroborate.”
Gabe frowned. “Are you always this calculating?”
“I call it problem solving. Some people think it’s a good thing.” She sighed. “But we’ll still have to take steps to stay safe.”
“Like warning away your best friend’s boyfriend? Maybe you were just freaked out because of what happened to you that you wanted to keep her safe all on your own and wouldn’t trust it to anyone else.”
Caisey’s stomach knotted. “That’s not what it was. You make it sound selfish. I loved having them with me and I wouldn’t have it any other way, and there is no way on earth I could have known Jenna’s family would kick her out. But we made it work.”
Gabe’s mouth thinned. “Well, now you need to make this work.”
“Why is everything my responsibility?”
“Because you’re the one who’s kept them both safe all these years. Now it’s time to give them a future, and in the process give yourself one.”
“I can’t even think about that now.”
“You deserve more than the limbo you’ve been living in, hiding just like me. You don’t think I don’t see it? You guard your heart so fiercely I wonder that it even works at all.”
Caisey flinched. He really thought that? Like somehow she was defective because she’d chosen to be an agent and all these years later she was still single? She strode to her car door and opened it, staring at him across the roof. “Thank you very much for your insight, Gabe. I’ll take it under advisement.”
His face softened. “Case—”
“No. It’s fine. You’re right. It’s time I got on with my life. Clearly the one I’m living isn’t good enough for you.”
Chapter 27
CAISEY STEPPED ASIDE so the rush of agents could pass by her in the hall early the next morning. She knew the surge of adrenaline that made a cop’s eyes focus and darken, she’d felt it many times when the rush of the hunt coalesced into action and investigation became arrest. Something was going down this morning, and here she was headed to her desk for more hours of computer searches.
Caisey set the extra-hot vanilla latte in front of Liam and hung her jacket on the back of her desk chair. “Okay, hit me.”
His mouth twitched. “They think they finally got a lead on the Chloroform Killer.”
No wonder they were in such a hurry. “They’ve been pulling all-nighters for weeks. I’d be fired up for a takedown too, if it meant being home in time for dinner for once. What’d they get?”
Liam laughed. “Tire tracks on the vehicle used to dump the body in Aurora led to a plumber.”
Caisey shook her head. “There’s no way he’s that stupid.”
“Maybe.”
“So why didn’t you go with them?”
Liam shrugged and picked up his coffee mug. “It’s been a crazy few weeks.”
“So you’re saying that your health and well-being comes before catching the decade’s most notorious serial killer?” Caisey grinned even though he wasn’t looking at her. “Or were you just not in the mood for a takedown because you’re a wee bit tired?”
“You’re a pain, you know that?”
Caisey laughed. “Yeah, but you love me anyway.”
“Love might be too strong of a word.” Liam’s gaze settled on his computer screen and he clicked the mouse. “It’s possible, anyway, likely even, that all this is connected. Your house was broken into and then the guy impersonating state patrol kidnapped Gabe. I’d like to tread cautiously. The sheriff is still unaccounted for.”
“Most of that links back to Gabe’s uncle, not the investigation.”
“I know. And it depends on what the State guys dig up on the guy they have in Buckshot pretending to be one of their cops. Then they have to co-ordinate with Denver police and the guy they have here.”
“They haven’t sent you anything yet?”
Liam shook his head. “They’re not even done processing evidence on Emma Allens’ murder, which I guess means they’re no closer to figuring out what the heck happened with the sheriff. And the BOLO hasn’t turned up anything yet, so he’s still at large.”
“Yippee.” She blew out a breath.
“Gabe’s dad agreed to help?”
Caisey nodded. “So we’re not supposed to go after Gabe’s uncle now, until Toben coughs up what he knows. And that won’t happen until after the agents on the case approach Gabe with the offer. I guess he wants to see Gabe before he dies. Which means I get to sit here until either Holden gets indicted, or he tries to kill Gabe again.”
Liam tilted his head to one side. “I wouldn’t be worried about sitting here. I’d be worried about going outside.”
Caisey rolled her eyes. “Wow, that’s super helpful. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Liam leaned back in his chair. “Where is Gabe, anyway?”
“How should I know? He disappeared with Nic.”
Liam’s lips twitched. “He chose his cousin over you? How dare he?” Caisey glared at her partner.
“And how’s Grams?”
“Dehydrated. They admitted her to hospital, but only so they could give her fluids because she can’t keep anything down.” Caisey shifted in her chair.
“Why don’t you go see her?”
“I need to clear out some of my work first. I’ll go as soon as I’m done.”
Liam nodded. “Let’s get to work then.”
**
Jenna stood at the window of her spa with her arms folded and one toe tapping on the tile. Her stomach felt like the time she drank orange juice and it was fizzy. She stared across the street where he’d been when she walked from the parking lot to open the spa that morning, carrying her large sugar free, nonfat latte.
That was two hours ago.
He was still there, leaning back against the car that had been her favorite ever since she discovered they existed. Every time traffic passed she wondered if he’d be gone, but he was still there—the arms of his light blue button down shirt folded across his chest. His legs were even crossed at the ankles.
Nic. She couldn’t even say his name out loud or she’d likely start crying right here.
She should probably call the cops and have him forcibly removed, but he was across the street and she’d have a hard time explaining exactly what he’d done. Standing there staring at her wasn’t exactly illegal. Not to mention that part of her wanted to run across the street and throw herself at him. Except instead of kissing him, she’d more likely burst into tears and end up blubbering on his shoulder.
She was stronger than that…she hoped.
He’d been the one to dump her. Therefore girl-law stated that she had to resist the urge to make the first move. Play it cool and make him come to her, groveling on his knees for leaving her and Jake high and dry. Then she would take pity on him and accept his apology. Then she could throw herself at him and they could make out…you know, after the third date.
But who said that was what he wanted? Maybe he was only here for Jake. Or just to freak her out. That made more sense, being as it had been two hours and he hadn’t even moved.
The passenger door opened and another man climbed out—a man with two black eyes, looking more than worse for wear. Ouch. It reminded her of when Caisey was beaten up. He said something across the car, but Nic just shook his head. The other man rounded the vehicle and Nic grabbed his arm. They had words, and it was Nic who waited for a break in traffic to cross the street.
Jenna grabbed her phone and sent a quick text. She was going to stand strong, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t call in reinforcements of her own. She quickly settled behind the counter and perused the schedule to see what needed to be rearranged if she was going to be busy the rest of the day. Plus it had the added bonus of making it look like she hadn’t been stressing this whole time.
The door swished open and Jenna saw Pam’s eyes go wide. She knew how her receptionist was feeling, since just one of them had enough of a presence to take a girl’s breath away. Together they were a double threat, shot-through-the-heart style.
“Jenna?”
She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut. The sound of his voice was like a breath of cool air in summer. Instead, she straightened her spine and looked up. “Hello, Nic.”
He swallowed. “How are you?”
She looked instead at the other man.
He strode forward, smiling. “Gabe Carlen.”
There was only one man with that name Jenna knew. “Gabe? The Gabe?”
His lips twitched. “Last time I checked.”
It was the guy, Caisey’s dream man from the date-to-end-all-dates. Jenna’s eyes burned, so she blinked.
Nic glanced back and forth between them. “You guys know each other?”
“Uh…” It was Gabe! A million questions flew through her mind. Jenna shook them all out and said, “Does Caisey know you’re here?”
He nodded.
Jenna smiled. “That explains why you look like someone beat the crap out of you.”
He laughed. “She didn’t do this.”
Well, that meant Caisey was going to delete her dating profile now and leave Jenna hanging. Jenna felt the smile, so big her cheeks ached. “It’s really nice to meet you, Gabe.”
“Um…excuse me,” Nic said. “I’m here too.”
Jenna straightened her spine and looked at him. “Jake and I are well, thank you.” She glanced at Gabe, who had a small smile on his face that said he knew how hard this was for her. But he had no idea.
She turned back to Nic. “What do you want?”
It was then she knew that this was make-or-break time for him. The look in his eye was one she’d never seen. The boy she knew had become a man, a serious man.
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