Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7) (13 page)

“Yes,” James agreed.

“Can you email me the information you’ve found?”

“I’ve got my computer up right now,” James said. “Tell me where to email it.”

After a few seconds of working on the computer, James hit the “send” button. “It’s on the way.”

“Thank you.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I know I’m not a concern of yours at this point,” James said. “I am worried about my wife, though. A couple of days ago, someone accosted her outside of a furniture store and tried to steal her purse. I didn’t think much of it, and it was before we realized what was on the flash drive, but now I’m convinced that whoever tried to steal her purse was looking for the flash drive.”

“What makes you say that?”

“It was the same purse she was carrying in Bermuda,” James said. “She hadn’t switched it out yet. The area the man approached her in wasn’t exactly a smart place to try and mug someone. There were plenty of witnesses. It just … I think it would be too much of a coincidence.”

“I agree,” St. James said. “Even if we’re talking about one of the minor crime figures here in Bermuda, Mr. Hardy, whoever is looking for that flash drive should be considered dangerous. I think you should keep a close eye on your wife.”

“I always do.”

“I got that feeling when I met you,” St. James said. “Give me a few days to look into this. In the meantime, keep a close watch over your shoulder, and don’t let your wife wander down any dark alleys.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll be in touch,” St. James said.

Once he’d disconnected, James glanced at the other faces in the room. “What do you think?”

“I think I’m worried for Mandy,” Grady said. “Again.”

“She does just stumble into this shit,” James muttered.

“What are you thinking?” Finn asked.

“I’m thinking I’m overhauling the security system at the house,” James said. “It seemed fine for what we needed when I had it installed. It doesn’t now.”

Jake nodded, getting to his feet. “Let’s do it. If you’re going to keep enjoying that hot tub, you’re going to want it done today.”

“And it needs to be done before I pick Mandy up from work,” James said. “Put the monitors in my office.”

“You’re not going to tell her?” Grady asked.

“I’m … I’m going to tell her in a way that doesn’t freak her out,” James said. “Well, I hope. She’s the one who figured out the guy who tried to grab her purse was looking for the flash drive. She could already know.”

“Tell her,” Finn said. “She’s going to figure it out, and these things always backfire on you when you don’t tell her.”

James sighed, nodding. “First things first, let’s get the security system installed. I’ll worry about the angry blonde later. I need to keep her safe more than I need her to talk to me.”

“We’re on it.”

“I’m surprised that you came here with me,” Sophie admitted, shifting her attention to the Hardy brother sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. “I never thought I’d see this day.”

James frowned, leaning forward as he studied the extravagant mansion in front of him. “No one is more surprised than I am.”

“I could do this alone.”

“No,” James said, shaking his head emphatically. “It’s my job to keep my wife safe. I’m already pissed I have to ask someone else to help. I’m not too proud to do the asking on my own.”

Sophie’s smile was soft, but there was an edge to her eyes. “You’re a really good husband, James. I always knew you would be. You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I know you can’t help it, especially when stuff like this keeps happening, but … well … you should know that you and Mandy were the reason I decided to pull my wall down and give Grady a chance in the first place, so I’m taking this whole thing seriously.”

James stilled, shifting so he could give the brunette reporter his full attention. “What?”

“When I first met Grady, I thought he was just another ladies’ man out for a good time,” Sophie said. “I know that’s not true now, but I wasn’t so sure then. You’ve seen the way women act around him. They fall all over him. I did not want a man who expected me to fall all over him.

“Then I met you,” Sophie continued. “That’s when I figured your whole family was made up of ladies’ men who slept their way through entire cliques and left a trail of broken hearts in their wake.”

James didn’t know how to respond.

“When I met Mandy, things kind of … rearranged in my mind,” Sophie said. “I knew she was cool. I didn’t know she was so terrific until I saw her with you, and I saw how much you loved her.

“You guys hadn’t even been together that long, if you remember,” she continued. “You looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. You guys shared these looks that were hot enough to start the room on fire. Well, you still share those looks.

“I just remember this pain in my heart,” Sophie said. “I wanted what you guys had so badly that it literally hurt. I figured that if you could give your whole heart to someone, then maybe Grady could, too. And if he could, I could.”

“I don’t know what to say,” James said.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Sophie said. “I just don’t want you to worry that you’re somehow a bad husband to Mandy. I’ve never seen anyone look at a man the way she looks at you. You fill her with joy, and love, and laughter, she could never want anything but you.”

“It’s still my job to keep her safe.”

“Have you ever failed her?”

“I hope not.”

“You’re incapable of failing her, James,” Sophie said. “Your heart would never let you. Just try holding on to that, because your wife needs you to be more than just her protector. She needs you to be her partner, too. Don’t take all of this on yourself. When you do that, you tend to piss her off.”

James barked out a hoarse laugh. “You are a constant surprise, Sophie Lane.”

“So are you, James Hardy.”

James nodded, pulling himself together. “Okay. Let’s go and meet Peter Marconi.”

“I’ve already met him,” Sophie said, reaching for the door handle. “Just stick with me, kid. He’s putty in my hands.”

James reached out, grabbing Sophie’s arm so he could still her. “You’re a part of this family, Sophie,” he said. “You have been since you insulted Grady in front of the newspaper and stole his heart.

“You said you originally thought that Grady only wanted a woman who would fall all over him,” James continued. “Grady has never been that man. He’s always loved a challenge, and you’re the biggest and best challenge he’s ever found.

“You two found each other,” James said. “You’re going to be just as happy as Mandy and I are. You guys just need to stop getting in the way of yourselves.”

“We’re thinkers,” Sophie said. “All things happen in their own time. Grady and I just need to think longer about things. We need the time.”

“You have all the time in the world,” James said. “And you have all the support you’ll ever need.”

“Right back at you,” Sophie said. “Now, let’s stop being all dramatic and go and meet Peter. He’s going to love this story.”

“I CAN’T
say that I’m not surprised to see you here, Mr. Hardy,” Peter said, sipping from his cup of tea as he regarded the eldest Hardy brother thoughtfully.

After a brief tour, Peter had led James and Sophie into the arboretum that Mandy had fallen in love with on her visit. Peter considered himself a student of the human condition. As such, he wanted to see if Mandy’s mate would love the room as much as she did.

He wasn’t disappointed by James’ reaction.

“This is a beautiful room,” James said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“It’s one of my favorites.”

“The light is kind of … weird,” James said, lifting his hand. “It’s diffused or something.”

“It’s the glass,” Peter said. “I had it shipped in from Denmark. It helps keep the room warm in the winter without being too thick. I can give you the number to the shop if you’re interested in using it to build something for your delightful wife.”

James glanced at Peter, his face neutral. “Why would you assume that?”

“Because your wife fell in love with this room the minute she saw it,” Peter said. “The fact that you’re here, talking with a man you’re clearly not comfortable trusting, tells me that you’re willing to do anything to make your wife happy.”

“I’m willing to do anything for my wife period,” James said. “I want her happy, but I want her safe more. Well, that’s not exactly true. I guess … I always want her happy. Shit. Yeah, give me the glass guy’s name. I have a feeling the house is going to be getting an addition before it’s all said and done.”

Sophie smirked. “You’re such a softie.”

“Don’t tell anyone,” James quipped. “It will ruin my street cred.”

“No man’s
cred
is ever diminished by the love of a good woman,” Peter countered. “And I happen to believe that your wife is one of the best women I’ve ever met.”

“Well, we’ve got that in common.”

“Sophie told me you weren’t happy with your wife’s visit to my home,” Peter said.

Sophie blushed furiously. “Peter … I … .”

“I wasn’t,” James said, refusing to apologize for his feelings. “I love my wife more than anything in this world. You must understand that, no matter how nice and respectful you are toward her, I don’t want her in this world.”

“I understand,” Peter said. “I hope you understand that if your wife is ever in any trouble, I will move Heaven and Earth to save her. It’s not just because I find her delightful. I find many people delightful. However, Sophie is my family, and she considers your wife to be her family. That means I protect Sophie’s family. If your wife is in trouble again, I will do what it takes to protect her.”

“You could go broke trying,” James said. “My wife seems to find trouble every time she turns around.”

“She has been mired in a bit of bad luck,” Peter conceded. “What seems to be the problem now?”

James laid out everything. When he was done, he sat back on the couch and waited for Peter to process the situation.

Peter breaking out in throaty guffaws wasn’t what he expected.

“I don’t think it’s funny, Peter,” Sophie said, shifting a worried look in James’ direction.

“It’s not funny
that
way,” Peter said, wiping an errant tear from his eye. “Never in my entire life have I met a woman who manages to get herself in such ridiculous situations.”

Sophie inadvertently giggled. “She kind of does.”

Even James couldn’t tamp down his smile. “My wife has a knack. That doesn’t mean I want her dead.”

“No one wants her dead, son,” Peter said, sobering. “This situation in Bermuda has me worried. First, let me make a call. Then we have some things to discuss. It might take some time. I’ll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, have some tea and some sandwiches. I think it’s going to be a long afternoon.”

Once he was gone, James turned to Sophie. “I hate to say it, but I like him.”

“He likes you,” she replied. “If he didn’t, he would never leave you alone in his house.”

“Does he leave Grady alone?”

“Yes.”

“Does Grady like him?”

Sophie bit her bottom lip. “I … when Peter came through with information on Tony Anderson and promised to help Mandy, Grady hugged him. They’re never going to be best friends, but at least I can have the two men who mean the most to me in this world in the same room together. Grady has given me that.”

“Give him time, Sophie,” James said. “He’ll make it to where you want him to make it.”

“Oh, I know he will,” Sophie said. “I have faith. Now, have a sandwich. These little cucumber ones are divine.”

“THIS
situation is even more confusing than I thought it would be,” Peter said when he returned to the arboretum.

“Oh, good,” James deadpanned. “That’s always what I want to hear when my wife’s life is in danger.”

Peter didn’t acknowledge the sarcasm. “You must understand that they do business differently in Bermuda,” Peter said. “No one in Detroit would ever leave dealer packs in four different locations and then supply someone with a map. That’s just … stupid.”

James smirked. “From your point of view, I guess it is.”

“I’ve got some preliminary information on this Manny Cortez,” Peter said. “We’re trying to get more, don’t worry, but what we’ve found so far is alarming. You said this Detective St. James said that Cortez was a gambler, and that they were looking at bookies for the crime?”

James nodded, grabbing another cucumber sandwich and stuffing it into his mouth. Sophie had been right. They were divine. They were also tiny, and James felt the need to do something with his hands as he waited for someone else to supply the information necessary to keep his wife safe.

“Mr. Cortez was indeed a gambler,” Peter said. “A very poor one. He was such a bad gambler, one would have to wonder why anyone would ever give him a line of credit. As far as I can tell, he owed money to every bookie on the island.”

“How is that confusing?” Sophie asked. “That’s just what the detective said.”

Peter glanced at Sophie. “When you get documents that feel too clean, what do you think when you look at them?”

“That someone doctored them,” Sophie replied.

“That’s how I feel when I look at Mr. Cortez’s record,” Peter said. “It doesn’t feel real to me.”

“Meaning?”

“I can’t be sure of this,” Peter cautioned. “It’s just a gut feeling.”

“I understand,” James said.

“It feels fabricated,” Peter said. “Like … sometimes men apply for positions in my security team. We don’t take references in this line of work. Your references are your police rap sheet. As you can imagine, I get a lot of individuals from various police forces who are trying to infiltrate my organization. Those individuals are often easy to spot because their rap sheets often look like they were generated by a computer algorithm.”

“How so?”

“A lot of these rap sheets include sex crimes because they think it makes them look tougher,” Peter said. “First off, I would never hire anyone with a sex crime on their record. I find it tacky. That’s beside the point, but I just thought you should know. Anyway, when you look at the timeline of someone’s sexual deviancy, it rarely starts with rape and then moves on to peeping or panty theft.”

Realization dawned on James. “Right, because sexual predators start small and then work their way to the bigger crimes. So, wait, you’re saying that Cortez’s record reads wrong?”

“Exactly,” Peter said. “He was allegedly convicted of armed robbery at sixteen and went to juvie. His next crime was arson when he was nineteen, followed by car theft at twenty-one. He then got nabbed for shoplifting when he was twenty-two, and the rest of his convictions are all gambling related after that. That progression feels false.”

“Yeah,” James said, rubbing his neck as he considered what Peter was telling him. “Are you saying that Cortez was an undercover cop?”

“Not necessarily,” Peter said. “I’m not ruling out that he was undercover law enforcement. And, keep in mind, he could’ve been undercover in any number of departments, including American ones with foreign national interests.”

“Right.”

“He also could’ve been a garden-variety snitch, a mercenary, or even a spy,” Peter said. “I have no idea what Cortez really was. I just don’t think he was the man his record said he was. Finding out who Cortez really was is going to take time.”

“Thank you,” James said. “That helps. Maybe? I seriously don’t know if that helps. Any information is helpful, I guess. I just feel more confused now than I did when we came here.”

“I will keep the information coming when I get it,” Peter said. “I will email it to your office, so be on the lookout. I would … .”

James waited, watching as Peter gathered himself together to continue.