Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) (20 page)

Kiley laughed. “You’re so funny, Jordan. People don’t buy radio stations.”

Jordan was facing the computer he’d flipped on so Kiley didn’t see the disappointment cross his face. “Right. I thought I’d bring Shane down here so you and Alyssa could talk privately.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you stayed while I talk to her. You already know what I’m going to say.”

“True. However she might mind and I want her to be able to open up with you. I could say the same for me and Shane. You know what I plan on saying too but I know he’ll have enough trouble being honest with me. He’d never let me say what I need to in front of you. Or at least not before he knows more about you than your name.”

“I understand. We need to clear the air first. We’ll have plenty of time to spend
en masse
later.”

“Ha! There it is!” Jordan exclaimed. “I probably shouldn’t show you this but I trust you.” He stepped aside. “Look.”

“$1,002,079.37,” she read the figure on the screen.

“This is Shane’s account. I’ll have to give him a printout of every transaction but even he should be pleased with this.”

“Pleased! I’d be in shock. He must have given you a lot to start with.”

“No.”

“But there’s a million dollars!”

“I said I was good at this.” He shrugged.

“No wonder you have the reputation that you do. I’ve heard how cool and calm you are. I’d be confident too if I could do that.”

“It’s just money, Kiley. It’s not such a big deal.”

“I can barely balance my checkbook and you say generating a million dollars isn’t a big deal.”

“Damn. I was counting on you to take care of our bills once we’re together,” he teased as they went back upstairs.

“That’s a really bad idea. I wish they’d get here so we can get this over with.”

“Not looking forward to confronting your cousin?”

“That’s not it. The sooner they get here the sooner they’ll leave. In case you’re wondering, I remember last night. All of it. From the time I saw you walking toward me in that bar to the call you got just as I was falling asleep. Thinking about it, I must agree you were right not to let me touch you last night. But you did promise I could today. You haven’t changed your mind?”

Kiley was standing very close to him. As she spoke, she placed her hands on his chest and was slowly sliding them upward to circle his neck when they heard the doorbell followed by Brett’s loud greeting.

“Saved by the bell,” Jordan teased. “In the kitchen,” he called. “Kiley, just so you know, I will never change my mind on that one.” Her gasp told him she could see all the desire he was feeling.

“Good morning, Kiley.” Brett kissed her cheek and whispered, “This look is even hotter than your green dress.”

“You’re dressed,” Alyssa stated. “I stopped and got you some clothes but apparently that was unnecessary.”

“Thanks, Alyssa. It was nice of you to think of it. Jordan arranged these for me last night.”

“That explains it,” Brett muttered, helping himself to coffee.

“Hi, I’m Shane. Since I don’t think last night counts, I’d like to say it’s nice to meet you.”

“You too. And Lyssa, this is Jordan.”

They chatted for a few minutes while Kiley assured them all that she was fine.

Eventually, Jordan said, “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us? I’d like to show you something in my office, Shane. Coming, Brett?”

“He seems nice enough,” Alyssa hedged after they left the room.

“He’s extremely nice, Lyss. He’s good and kind and caring, not to mention gorgeous and I think I’m falling in love with him.”

“Kiley! Are you sure those drugs didn’t do permanent damage?” Alyssa wanted to bite her tongue when she realized what she said. “Wait. That was unfair. I’m just really surprised. You’ve mentioned him a few times and his voice is as good as you said it was but you never implied it was serious between you.”

“That’s because I’ve been keeping it to myself. I wasn’t ready to share yet.”

“And I’m not at all attentive.”

“Or forthcoming. How are your ribs?”

“Fine. It wasn’t a big deal, Kiles. I didn’t want to worry you over nothing.”

“I always worry as you well know. I shouldn’t have to hear that you were hurt from someone else.”

“How did he know?”

“Jordan knows people.” She went on to explain everything that he had said. “Now is there anything you’d like to tell me?”

“Didn’t he already?”

“No but he would have if I’d asked him to. We thought I should give you a chance first.”

“It’s not definite yet. I’m still deciding.”

“About?”

“I’ve been invited to travel with a team of storm chasers.” Kiley stared. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. They’re really very careful.”

“I see.”

“Kiles…”

“Alyssa, I know the choice is yours. I don’t understand why you feel compelled to do this sort of thing but I’ve seen the results. I’ve never hidden that I wish you’d pick something safe to photograph. What were you going to do? Wait until the night before you left and call me to say something like you’ll be out of town for a few months, trying to find a tornado to get sucked up into so you can get exclusive photographs of Oz?”

“I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“Oh come off it. You’re going and you’ve known it since they asked you. You know, if you told me then I would have had time to get used to the idea before you actually go.”

“I’m really sorry. I know I’m not very considerate. I’m thoughtless and selfish. I really do try though. You know growing up we moved even more often than you did so I never had close friends. I learned to be independent. I guess old habits are hard to break. I’m sorry I take you for granted. You’ve been there all my life and most of the time I ignored you. But when I was old enough to go out on my own, I thought of you. I knew I wanted to be near where you were. That’s not an excuse but it’s true. Knowing you were out there, waiting to care about me if I showed up got me through some very lonely times when I was little. If I promise to treat you better, will you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. You treat me fine. I just want to be included more.”

“I will try. In fact, I’ll start now. Do you remember when I was working on the gang bit there was that cop who gave me such a hard time?”

“Shane,” Kiley deduced.

“Yep. I thought I should tell you even though we agreed to try to get along. Now tell me about Jordan.”

Downstairs, Shane repeated all the things he’d told Brett that morning. Jordan reacted as Brett predicted.

“Tell me one thing,” Shane requested. “Are your sources inside the department?”

“No,” Jordan answered.

“For some reason I’m glad to hear it.”

“Then that’s good. Now I really do have something to show you.” Jordan handed him the account summary he had printed out earlier. While Shane looked at it, Jordan nodded to Brett who instantly understood what it was.

“Is this…this is…holy shit! Son of a bitch!” Shane looked back and forth between their matching grins. “Are you setting me up? Is this another prank?”

“No, Shane. That is your balance as of 9:17 this morning.”

“Damn Jordan, I don’t know what to say.”

“Tell him the rest,” Brett urged.

“You sure?” Jordan asked.

“He’s speechless. You won’t get a more perfect opportunity.”

“Good thinking,” Jordan agreed because Shane was truly stunned. “There was a day about a year ago when I stopped you just as you were going into court to sign some papers.” Shane nodded, indicating he remembered. “One of them was an authorization to form a partnership. You are part of JBS, Limited.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You, Brett and I are the major partners in an investment group. We’ve had a very good year.”

“Jordan, I think this is too much all at once. First you tell me I have a million dollars and now I’m part of a successful investment group. What are we investing in?”

“Nothing in particular at the moment. For now, we’re just making money. But we have a plan.”

“A damn good plan.” Brett beamed. “And we’re getting closer to it being ready.”

They waited for Shane to consider what they’d said. “I need some time to think about this. Would you be offended if I asked you to wait before you tell me about this plan? I’m having too much trouble accepting the million dollars.”

“That’s fine. Let us know when you’re ready and we’ll tell you all about it,” Jordan laughed.

“A million dollars. Me.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. I did when Jordan told me about mine.” Brett chuckled at the expression of Shane’s face. “That’s right, I have one too. And Jordan has several.”

“I’m a cop. I can’t have a million dollars.”

“Sure you can, Shane. There’s no reason to tell people about it, is there? I just thought you might like to know.” Jordan shrugged.

“I guess. I’m not sure.” Shane still sounded dazed. “You know we really have to talk about last night.”

“I know but let’s go back up first.”

“Think they’ve had enough time?” Brett asked.

“Yeah but talk loud on the steps so they know we’re coming.” Jordan stopped in the doorway. “Shane, thanks for what you said today. In my opinion, you’re the best big brother a guy could have.”

“And you, as always, are beyond spectacular. Brett, I wish you’d stepped in years ago. What would we do without you?” Shane draped an arm over each of them. “Have I said thank you for changing your lives and coming here?”

“Don’t mention it,” Brett replied.

“No thanks necessary. I think it’s turned out for the best,” Jordan added.

Halfway up the stairs, Shane said, “About this plan, I don’t want specifics but should I be worried?”

“Nope.” Jordan wondered how long it would be before his detective brother asked for details. “It’s truly excellent even if Kiley did laugh.”

“She laughed?” Brett asked.

“Mm but I mentioned it in an offhand way that sounded like a joke, not a fact. She said people don’t do this.”

Shane groaned when Brett declared, “But we’re not people. We’re us.”

“Which is exactly why we are going to do this.” Jordan and Brett grinned like small children at Christmas.

“I changed my mind. I don’t want to know any of this now,” Shane announced.

“Trust us, Shane. This one is honestly brilliant,” Jordan said seriously as they reached the kitchen. “Ladies, can we join you?”

“Sure, everything all right?” Kiley smiled, letting him know that she and Alyssa were fine.

“Great.” Jordan sat next to her and took her hand. “Sweet, we need to talk about Winslow.”

“I know.”

“You should have gone for a blood test last night but there may still be some traces—” Shane began.

“For what purpose?” Jordan interrupted. “We know Kiley was drugged. We know Winslow did it. We also know there is no way to prove it.”

An uncomfortable silence stretched as the brothers eyed each other. Finally, Shane nodded. “Brett indicated you know his background.” After Jordan told them everything, Shane said, “Okay that gives me something to go on. I’ll see who I can get—”

“No, Shane,” Jordan interrupted again. “This is something I will take care of.”

“Jordan, be reasonable!”

“No, you be reasonable. We need to know what he’s up to and why he tried to use Kiley as a distraction. I have a better chance of uncovering that than you do.”

“And how do you propose to do that?” Instead of answering, Jordan raised an eyebrow. “All right, what if he takes off?”

“I’ll know. And I’ll stop him.”

“Jordan, maybe you should let Shane handle this,” Brett suggested. He trailed off when he saw the look on his friend’s face.

Kiley hated the tension growing in the room. Squeezing Jordan’s hand to get his attention, she asked, “Jordan, what did you mean he was using me as a distraction?”

“Sugar-coated or straight-forward?” he asked gently.

“Brutally honest,” she answered.

After studying her face, Jordan explained. “He intended to offer you to Samuels to use in whatever way he wanted.”

Kiley gasped. “But I wouldn’t have…”

“Think about it. You couldn’t talk for the first hour at least. Could you have fought someone off if you’d needed to?”

“You can’t be serious!” Alyssa exclaimed.

“I’m afraid he’s probably right,” Shane said grimly.

“Obviously Winslow didn’t bother to find out who he was dealing with. Samuels is a very dedicated family man. He’s been married to the same woman since high school and all indications say he never strays.”

“Jordan, why do you know that?” Shane scowled. “I thought you were legit.”

“You, of all people, should know that I am. Every aspect of every deal has been and always will be one hundred percent clean. But that doesn’t mean I’m not aware of the rest of the financial community.”