Connections of the Mind (14 page)

Allison hit her arm. “That wasn’t meant for your ears.”

“Can’t help it if I have good hearing. Besides, I’m happy for you. It’s about time you two got together. But I’m curious, which of you took the initiative? Not that it’s any of my business, but you’re both so shy.”

Allison looked uncomfortable. “You’re right. It’s none of your business.” She let out a giggle. “But actually it was Les. Can you believe it? I couldn’t. Heck, I couldn’t believe he asked me to come along.”

“Yeah, but you said you told him I invited you—which I did.”

“True, and I don’t know where I got the guts to do that. But the rest was all him. Not that I resisted, of course.”

Rebecca held up a red teddy. “What do you think, sexy enough? Or would you rather we went to Victoria’s Secret, or maybe Frederick’s. Yeah, why don’t we find one of those? I’m sure there’s one around here someplace. We can get you a sexy maid’s outfit or something like that. I know, something with garters and fishnet stockings.”

“Hey, you’re getting a bit personal here. Why don’t you find an outfit like that for Jeremy?” Allison hit Rebecca’s arm again.

“Sorry, you’re right. Besides, it’s kind of weird to think of you with my brother that way. So what made you decide to rent a cabin?”

Allison shrugged. “I don’t know. Lester picked up some brochures, and we started talking about the area and vacations and one thing led to another, and we decided to rent one. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Mind? Are you kidding? I’m thrilled. I hope by the time this week is over you’re engaged.”

“Aren’t you rushing things a bit?”

“Considering you’ve been carrying a flame for each other for almost eight years, no.”

“Still. I don’t think we’ll be engaged. In a relationship is fine with me for now. Besides, you know what kind of wedding I want. I’ve been planning it like forever.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m sure Lester won’t mind watching you come down the aisle in your parents’ back yard. In fact, knowing Lester, he’ll love the idea of a small intimate wedding. The less he’s the center of attention the better.”

“It’s just something I always dreamed of. Ever since Mom and Dad had the gazebo built, I pictured myself getting married there.”

Rebecca looked at her watch. “I can’t believe an hour has passed. Time to meet up with the guys. We better get going, you know how impatient Lester gets if he has to wait.” Rebecca paid for her purchases and followed Allison to the front of the mall.

“Wonder what Les and Jeremy did. What do you suppose they talked about?”

Rebecca groaned. “If I know Lester, poor Jeremy got the third degree.”

Allison laughed. “Come on, he’s not that bad.”

“Oh, isn’t he? You have no idea what it was like dating in high school. I swear he was ten times worse than my parents.”

“Ah, there they are.” Rebecca looked at Jeremy to see if she could pick up a clue as to how it went with her brother. Seemed fine. None the worse for wear. And both of them seemed to be in good humor. In fact, they were acting like best friends. Rebecca let out a breath. Good, at least she didn’t have to worry about Lester anymore. Between his relationship with Allie and the bond he and Jeremy seemed to have formed, it looked like her brother was having the time of his life. Too bad they were renting a cabin. She actually enjoyed being around him now.

After lunch, they drove farther into Lofton. “May as well check out the college since we’re here,” Lester said.

“Why are you thinking of going back?” Rebecca teased. “I’ve never known you to be so interested in colleges.”

“Funny.” Lester tried to sound sarcastic, but his good mood wouldn’t let him pull it off. “Are you really going to take a course in web design, Beck?”

“Yep. I’m sick of my job at the law firm. There’s no room for advancement. Besides, I can work out of my home doing web design.” Better for me once I have kids
.
What made her think of that? Having kids was still a long way off.

“Working from home sounds heavenly,” Allison said. “Making your own hours, living where you want to live. Like down here in Morrisville. Not stuck in some big city. I envy you.”

“Don’t go getting any bright ideas about taking a course.” Lester took Allie’s hand. “Or if you do, it’d better be at Tri C or Cleveland State. You’re staying in Cleveland.”

Allison laughed. “Don’t worry. You’re not going to get rid of me that easy.”

Jeremy’s cell rang, interrupting the playful teasing. “Marlin here…Yeah, Chief, what’s up?”

Jeremy’s face drained of color. “Damn, when?”

No one in the car spoke while they all listened to Jeremy. This didn’t sound good.

“Okay. Yeah about forty-five minutes.” Jeremy closed his cell. “Hate to spoil the party, but I have to go. Another robbery.”

He looked at Rebecca. She questioned him with her eyes. He nodded. “Same M.O.”

Rebecca shivered. This guy meant business. He wasn’t fooling around. He definitely wanted Jeremy to know he was after him.

“No problem.” Lester turned into a drive and turned the car to head back. “I think we’re finished shopping anyway. At least we had time for lunch. I’ll check out the college another time. After all, we’ll be here all week.”

“Yeah, life of a cop. Always on duty. At least in a small town.”

A short time later, Lester pulled into the parking lot at the hotel and dropped Jeremy at his car. “Sorry you have to leave us. We’ll probably have supper in town. I heard the Enchantment Restaurant is pretty good.”

“Forget that.” Jeremy shook his head. “They’re not open on Sundays. If you want to go there, you’ll have to go, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.”

“Struck out again.” Lester laughed. “Is anything open on Sunday around here?”

“There’s a spaghetti place or Chinese restaurant in town. Depends what you’re looking for.” Jeremy opened his car door. “Sorry, got to run.” He planted a quick kiss on Rebecca’s cheek. “See you later.”

Jeremy pulled into a parking spot at the police station and threw his door open. He didn’t like this. Damn it, what the hell was going on around here? He hurried into the station and went straight into the chief’s office. “What’s up?”

Dan looked up at him. The usually mild manner police officer seemed shook up. Not that he didn’t have a right to be. Hell, his life was on the line here. Jeremy knew if anything happened to him, Dan would never forgive himself. The chief still felt responsible for his father’s death. Not that he could be blamed. Hell, it could have happened to any one of them. Or could his father’s death and the attempt on him be connected?

“Sit down, Jeremy.”

Jeremy sat. But hell, someone was out to get him and was going through a lot of trouble to let him know it. “Okay, whatta ya got?” He ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath.

“Computer store. Perp left a watch from the jewelry store robbery, a roll of film, and a bullet.”

Jeremy could tell Dan didn’t much like having to break the news of another bullet. But he had no choice.

“I wish I knew who wanted to kill you and why. This doesn’t make any sense.” Dan leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk.

“Doesn’t to me either. No fingerprints found again, I don’t suppose.”

“Nothing, not a trace. This guy’s good, I’ll say that for him. It’s like he knows what we’re looking for. He obviously wears gloves. More than likely something on his head, or he’s bald. No hair, no fabric. Nothing.” Dan leaned back in his chair. “We really have nothing to go on here. I just don’t get it. You got any enemies you know of?”

Jeremy shook his head. “None that I can think of.”

Dan looked at him. “I checked everyone you arrested in the past few years. Nothing comes up. Most of them are still in prison. Other ones were minor offenses. You sure you didn’t tick someone off?” Dan opened the folder, closed it, then opened it again. “Nothing in here, but I can’t help thinking we missed something. Some small clue.”

“I’ve racked my brain and can’t come up with anything.” Jeremy stood and paced the small office.

“Damn, I wish we had something to go on.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We’re still looking at the evidence. We’ll see if we can come up with something. Hell, maybe forensics missed something.”

“I’ll check it out. Maybe something will hit me.” Jeremy took the folder Dan handed him. “You know, I just had a thought coming in here. You don’t suppose my dad’s death is connected, do you?” Jeremy almost hated to bring it up. He knew how hard Dan took his father’s death. But if there was a connection they needed to know.

Dan leaned forward. “Hell, I never thought of that. I’ll have ballistics check out the bullet. I never thought anyone was after your dad. This might explain a lot. Never could figure out who’d want to kill him.” Dan stood, walked around his desk, and sat down. “So, does your friend know about the request you made earlier?”

Jeremy smiled. “Not yet. She’ll find out soon enough.”

“How do you think she’ll react?”

Jeremy shook his head. He wondered the same thing. “That remains to be seen. I’ll get on this right away.”

“By the way, I’ll smooth things over with Jules. You know she’s not going to like the idea.” Dan chuckled. “Can’t handle the idea her little boy’s growed up.”

Jeremy laughed. “No, I guess she can’t. Thanks, Chief. I owe ya. But hey, with me gone, makes more room for you.”

Dan slapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “Go on, get outta here.”

Jeremy sat at his desk, going over the three robbery reports. Damn it, he slammed the reports down on his desk. Three hours and nothing. Not a clue to who wanted him dead. May as well pack it in and go home. Something niggled at his mind, but he couldn’t place it. He picked up the reports again and started from the beginning. Still nothing came to him. What was he missing? He stood up and stretched. This wasn’t getting him anywhere.

He locked the reports in his desk, grabbed his jacket, and headed out. First stop, home to pick up some clothes. Hopefully, Dan had talked to his mother. Jeremy wasn’t in the mood for an argument. He shook his head. What was it about Rebecca his mother didn’t like? It wasn’t that there was someone else in his life. Hadn’t been for a long time now. He shrugged. Probably because she was a newcomer to town. She didn’t trust strangers. Not to mention the far-fetched story Rebecca told. His mother thought she was nuts. Or at the very least, imagining things, or making them up. Hell, if it hadn’t happened to him, he’d think the same thing…

He pulled into the driveway and took a deep breath. May as well get this over with. Waiting wasn’t going to make it any easier. Even if Dan had talked to his mother, she wasn’t going to be happy about him staying at the hotel. Nope, not even for a minute. Surely, it wasn’t because she had to stay alone. She’d spent many nights alone, and it never seemed to bother her before. No, it had something to do with Rebecca, of that he had no doubt.

He hurried into the house and ran straight to his room. So far so good. He packed his bags and was just about to make his escape when his mother came around the corner into his room.

Jeremy looked up. “Hi, Mom.”

Julia looked at him. Her soft blue eyes held a sadness he hadn’t seen in a long time.

“I see you’re ready to go.”

“Yeah, figured I’d better get going. I don’t like leaving Rebecca alone.”

“Yes, well…” Julia folded her arms across her chest. “No point in telling you I don’t like this idea is there?”

“It’s my job, Mom.”

“Uh huh. Not one you mind very much though is it. I’m worried about you, Jeremy. If Rebecca is in danger, then so are you.”

Jeremy put his arm around his mother. “I’ll be fine, Mom. And Rebecca is in danger because of me.”

“Maybe you should send her back home.”

“I tried that. Why would she be safer there? What if this guy followed her? At least here, I can see what’s going on. I can protect her.” Jeremy kissed his mother’s cheek. “I have to go.”

Julia stroked his arm. “You be careful, okay?”

“I will, Mom. Don’t worry.” Jeremy picked up his suitcase and left. Phew, that wasn’t too bad. Dan must have smoothed things over pretty good. He threw his bag in the back seat and got in his car. “Look out, Becca. Here I come.” He turned the key, and the engine came to life.

Chapter Nineteen

Rebecca sat at the table, playing cards with Allison and Lester. No doubt, Lester would have preferred to be alone with Allison, but she needed to keep her mind off Jeremy. The idea that someone wanted to kill him drove her crazy. Hopefully, they’d found out who, before they accomplished the deed.

She looked at her watch. Only two hours had passed. Darn, this was such a long day. A look passed between Lester and Allison.

Lester stood and stretched. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve had enough of crazy eights to last a life time. I’m going back to my room.” He looked at Allison. “Coming?”

Allison stood up. “Try to stop me.” She grinned. “See you later, Beck.” She gave a conspiratorial wink to Rebecca. “Dinner at six okay with you?”