Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0) Page 30

  Jordan leaned over Jaynee, kissing her forehead. His mother started to stand to let him sit, but he motioned for her to stay. “I have to handle something else.” Jaynee’s heartbeat increased. She knew he was here, and it made her heart race. Was that a good thing? Had she been frightened of Brian? Or, had she been calling out for him? The suggestion drove him insane. Brian had admitted that Jaynee said she was happily married. Why would he repeat her statement when the notion was repulsive to him? He could hear the mocking in his voice, even as he’d uttered the words.

  He lowered his mouth to her ear. “I love you, Jaynee,” he whispered, watching the monitor, noticing her pulse increase. This was good; she loved him too. Despite the confusion of the last couple of months, she still loved him.

  Jordan rested his hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Mom, I need to go somewhere. I’ll be gone a couple of hours. Will you be okay?”

  Pat looked up at him, her eyes wide. “What if she wakes again?” She clearly struggled with the idea he would leave Jaynee’s side again. He hadn’t moved in over three days, and now when she might wake up, he was leaving?

  “I know, Mom, but I have to handle something. It’s important, but I’ll rush.”

  “Jordan, what aren’t you telling me, baby?”

  “I can’t discuss it.” He walked out the door. The faster he could get there, the better. He still didn’t have his mobile. It had died the night of the accident, and he hadn’t thought to ask anyone to bring the phone and charger to the hospital.

  Picking up the courtesy phone, he dialed the number; the line connected before the first ring ended.

  “We need to talk,” Jordan said.

  “I know. Meet me at the Coffee House. I need to return home first. But by the time I backtrack to my residence and head back to the restaurant, you should have arrived.”

  Jordan hung up without a response.

  He darted down the stairs. He wouldn’t go to the restaurant; he’d head straight to the house. He could probably arrive faster if he drove as he did when he was responding to a call. He should have asked to borrow the detective’s car, but they would ask too many questions.

  If a cop attempted to pull him over, he’d just have to follow him, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.

  ***

  From down the street, he watched Lorraine pull out of the construction trailer’s driveway.

  He’d follow her. He needed to stop her before she told anyone what had happened the night Jaynee was shot. He knew she wouldn’t have wanted to admit she was with Jaynee the night of the shooting, admit that she too wished Jaynee were dead, as he did. She was probably hoping Jaynee would die, and then she would provide comfort. He watched as she made her turn away from town, heading toward her house.

  He kept a safe distance, even though he could tell she wasn’t paying attention. Everything would work out perfectly. He’d already decided how she would die, and she was playing directly into his hand.

  Who would suspect foul play in this type of demise? It was one of the easiest ways people committed suicide. He’d thought about it himself when everything looked hopeless, until he decided what needed to be done instead.

  He had what he needed in his vehicle. They were all normal items for him to have in his possession. Whenever they did a lot of sanding or painting on a job site, he would wear the mask.

  He watched as Lorraine pulled into her driveway, and the garage door opened. She’d left the interior garage door unlocked so she could enter without a key. She didn’t pull into the garage. What a shame, he’d have to assist her.

  Parking his vehicle on the street, he grabbed the mask. He’d already donned his gloves. He approached her garage, thankful she’d left the door open and the car running as if she’d be right back out.

  He jumped into the car and pulled it forward, then pushed the remote to close the garage door. She’d be out in a minute, and instead of being cautious, she’d be curious, wondering if she’d pulled into the garage. Surprise would be on his side.

  Lorraine stepped through the door cautiously, glancing around in confusion, but as he’d suspected, she must’ve decided she was losing her mind. She stepped into her car, and as she started to push the garage door opener, he grabbed her from behind the seat, clamping down hard on her arms and then lifting the cloth to her face. It only took a second, and she was out. He lowered the windows in the car, grabbed the folder she’d placed on the passenger seat and then stepped out after pushing the garage door button again until it rose halfway then pushed it once more so it would close as he raced underneath it.

  Perfect. It would surface that she was the one with Jaynee Friday night and that she was distraught. Nobody would doubt her decision to commit suicide.

  Now he needed to return to the hospital and finish what he’d started.

  ***

  He sat in a corner booth staring at the headline.

  Wife of Charlotte-Meck Detective Found Shot Saturday Morning.

  He turned to the local section to read the article, skipping through all the mumbo-jumbo, reading only the facts.

  Wife of Nine-year Charlotte-Meck detective Jordan Monroe was found shot in their Stanfield home early Saturday morning. Detective Monroe, a highly-decorated officer, recognized for saving lives when a warrant for the arrest of a habitual criminal went awry earlier this year, discovered his wife of five years, Jaynee Monroe, unconscious in their home from a gunshot wound to the head...There are no reports of foul play at this time.

  He needed to see her. Folding the paper, he left a tip on the table and headed toward the hospital.

  ***

  Jordan made it to Lorraine’s house quickly. What should have taken forty-five minutes, took less than thirty as he ignored every traffic light and drove as fast as traffic would allow and not one cop.

  He pulled onto Lorraine’s driveway. Had she come and gone already? He didn’t think it was possible. He calculated the time it would have taken her to drive from the office to her house. He didn’t think she would have been able to come and go. If she had, he would have seen her leaving; he’d been watching the entire way.

  He stepped out of his vehicle, walked to the entrance, and rang the bell. He waited, but there was no answer. He wished he had his cell phone. What a time not to have it. He knocked on the door, practically beating it down, nothing. He started to walk back to his car but heard something from the garage. Was her car running?

  “Oh, God ... NO!” He reached for the handle, struggling to open the door. It wouldn’t budge. The entrance was useless; he’d built this house. The front door was steel with a top-notch deadbolt. But the rear of the house — the patio doors.

  He picked up a rock as he rounded the side of the house, hoping she’d set the alarm. He smashed the rock through the windowpane, reached in, and unlocked the door. The alarm instantly rang. He raced across the kitchen, already inhaling the fumes saturating the air. He opened the door and felt to the side for the garage door opener, pushing it once to allow fresh air inside.

  Jordan skipped the steps, bounding to the driver’s door, pulling Lorraine out in seconds. She was breathing, but barely. How could this be happening? Twice in three days, he was holding one of the women closest in his life, in fear of their death. He laid her on the ground and returned to the car; he needed her phone.

  This couldn’t be a coincidence; something was going on. Jaynee had said Lorraine’s name, but not in a terrified manner, more as though she’d needed something from her. And then Lorraine knew they’d needed to talk. She’d sounded apprehensive about seeing him.

  He could hear sirens; he didn’t have to call 911. When the instant alarm went off, the security company would have notified the police. Lorraine would have a considerable headache, but she would live.

  He dialed his mom’s cell phone. It rang several times before she answered, probably at the bottom of her purse.

  “Mom,” he said frantically. “How’s Jaynee? Did she wake up?”

 
“Not when I was in there, she —”

  Jordan cut her off. “What do you mean? Where are you now?”

  “Jordan, it’s fine. I didn’t leave her alone. But I needed to get something to eat. I’ve been trapped there all morning while you’ve been running around.”

  “Who’s with her, Mom?” he demanded.

  “John showed up to see how she was, said he’d watch over her while I took a break. I don’t know why —”

  Jordan didn’t know why either but suddenly he knew something wasn’t right. Lorraine was no accident. Jaynee’s shooting wasn’t an accident. And John had connections to both Jaynee and Lorraine.

  “Mom, go to the waiting area now.” He couldn’t believe he was going to do this, but it was his only option. “Do you see a tall surfer-looking kind of guy, about 6’4, longer sandy-blond hair?”

  “There’s one fellow who looks something like that.”

  “Is he wearing a black jacket and black jeans?”

  “Uh, yeah ...”

  “Give him your phone.”

  “You want me to do what?” she shrieked.

  “Mom, trust me. His name is Brian. Give him your phone.”

  Jordan heard her approach him, asking if his name was Brian. He must have nodded because he couldn’t hear a response. He couldn’t believe he was doing this, but if it meant Jaynee’s life, he could swallow his pride. Brian may be many things, but it was clear from his tormented face, he really wasn’t there to hurt Jaynee. And right now, an outsider was all he could trust.

  “Hello?” he heard Brian’s tentative tone filled with questions. From all his stalking, he certainly knew Pat was his mother, but Jordan had clearly caught him off guard.

  “Brian, it’s Jordan. Listen, something is going on. I think Jaynee might be in danger. You need to go up with my mother and make sure no one else is allowed in with Jaynee.”

  “Dude ... You want me to see your wife?” he asked, bemused.

  “No, I want you to protect her. I think you’re right; she may be in danger. Don’t let anyone other than you and Pat in Jaynee’s room. Do you hear me?”

  “Yeah, man, I hear you. Not sure I understand ... but sure.” He sounded excited by the prospect, and Jordan was suddenly nervous, but he had to trust his instincts. Brian hadn’t hurt Jaynee, and he was confident Pat wouldn’t let him touch her.

  “Brian, there’s a man in there now; he’s a cop too, and I want him out.”

  “You want me to force a cop out, are you fu — freaking crazy?”

  “Pat will explain, just support her. They won’t allow more than two people in her room, so tell them you’re her brother.”

  Jordan disconnected the phone. The police and medics had arrived. He’d have to explain and get out of there fast.

  Brian relayed the conversation to Pat as Jordan explained, leaving out the ‘in danger’ part. He was pretty sure she didn’t know about what was happening.

  Her eyes narrowed at him. “And you are?”

  “I’m Brian. Jaynee’s brother.”

  “But, I thought —”

  “I’m her stepbrother. Listen, Pat, we don’t have much time. You and I need to go to her room, and you have to tell that John guy to leave, so I can see my sister.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  John sat down next to Jaynee as soon as Pat exited the room. He glanced over his shoulder several times, figuring Pat would be a while, but he didn’t want her to walk in on him.

  “Hi, Jaynee, it’s me. John.” He waited for a response to his voice; there wasn’t any so he continued. “It’s going to be okay; everything will be better very soon.” He sat for a second, not sure what to say or do; this could be his only chance. “You know something, Jaynee, I loved you from the second I saw you. When I saw you walking down the aisle, I imagined you were walking toward me. Then, when I held you when we danced, I imagined it was our first dance. Everything has always worked out for Jordan, and then he found you.”

  John stared at her face; even in a halfway comatose state, she was beautiful.

  “I insinuated to Jordan you were cheating, but I knew you weren’t. You’re too wonderful. You would never leave him, would you?”

  Jaynee’s eyes flickered open, but what he saw terrified him. She was looking at him in fear. Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked as if she were going to scream.

  Jaynee stirred at the sound of a new voice. Who was speaking? It wasn’t Jordan. The moment she made visual contact, the conversation with Lorraine rushed to her consciousness. She stared up in trepidation. John was sitting beside her. Where was Jordan?

  John’s eyes widened and his hand moved to her face. “Jaynee, ’S okay there’s no reason to be alarmed; I would never hurt you.”

  She tried to move, but it felt as if something held her strapped to the bed.

  Tears filled her eyes. “Where’s Jordan?” She struggled to get out the words ... they sounded like gibberish even in her own ears. She tried to scream, but nothing surfaced. Was John here to murder her?

  Lorraine had told her she was in fear for her life. That someone from the company may be trying to murder her and Jordan. Someone had approached her on the porch. She thought it was Lorraine returning, but then she’d felt a strong arm circle her neck. When she tried to escape, the gun must have discharged. Oh, God, what had happened? She was in the hospital, her head hurt. Had she shot herself?

  Someone else entered the room, but she couldn’t turn her head to see who it was.

  “You’ve upset her, John, you should leave. I’ll take over watching her.” It was another man’s voice. Everything inside her felt clouded, she couldn’t remember who the voice belonged to, but it sounded familiar.

  John made eye contact with her again, his eyes pleaded with her as if she should understand something. “But I didn’t do anything.”

  “Oh, didn’t you?” the other voice sneered, suddenly cold and callous. “Leave. I’ll stay with her until Jordan returns.”

  Jaynee couldn’t see around John, and she felt herself slipping away again. God, please help me, she prayed as the room grew dark again.

  John stood up with one fleeting look at Jaynee. He hadn’t meant to frighten her, he didn’t even think she’d heard him, but she did appear panicky.

  He hoped this wouldn’t get back to Jordan; he would definitely despise him. It’s not as if he would have ever propositioned her. He knew how Jordan felt about her. But he couldn’t resist telling her when he didn’t think she’d hear. He just needed to get everything off his chest. He always felt so uncomfortable when she was around, as though she could interpret his feelings.

  John headed for the elevator, but noticed it was still on the ground floor, so he opted for the stairs instead. Ashamed, his head fell low as he descended the steps.

  Jordan would kill him when he found out.

  ***

  Jordan explained the situation to the officers arriving on the scene, but told them he had to return to the hospital. That he feared for his wife’s life.

  He called 911, requesting that the operator transfer his call to Detective Williams or Powe. The dispatcher connected him to Len within seconds. He relayed what had happened with Lorraine and that she probably held information that would lead to an arrest.

  Once again, he pushed the Altima to its limit on the highway. He raced toward the hospital, thankful for no cops on the streets. Not that he would have stopped anyway, but he couldn’t afford anyone detaining him.

  Jordan reached for the phone again, but it started vibrating. He clicked ‘answer’.

  “Jordan, it’s Powe. I’m sorry, man. Lorraine went into cardiac arrest en route to the hospital, and the paramedics weren’t able to resuscitate her. I know she was a good friend.”

  Jordan snapped the phone shut, disconnecting the call. There was nothing further to say. He stomped on the accelerator even harder.

  He pulled the car directly outside the emergency room when he arrived. Let them tow it; he didn’t ca
re. It was the fastest corridor to the elevator leading to ICU. In case someone wanted to move it, he threw the keys on the receptionist’s counter. He walked directly to the locked doors of the ER. “Buzz me in,” he demanded.

  The receptionist recognized him this time and didn’t falter.

  ***

  Brian walked with Pat toward Jaynee’s room. When they walked in, Brian saw a man standing over her.

  “Ronny?” Pat’s voice sounded confused as she walked through the doorway. “Where’s John?”

  “I have no idea ... I just came in and she was all alone.”

  Pat knew the man’s name, but cocked her head at him as if he were a stranger. “What are you doing here?”

  Ronny glared at Pat. “I’m allowed to visit my sister-in-law, aren’t I? I am a member of this family.” He scowled and gestured to Brian. “Who’s this?”

  Brian narrowed his eyes and smiled as patronizingly as he could muster, then extended his hand. “I’m Brian, Jaynee’s brother.”

  Ronny eyed Brian with suspicion as he shook his hand, holding on to it a fraction too long as if he wanted to convey a message to him. “Does Jordan know you’re here?”

  “Of course, he requested I visit, and you? Does he know you’re here? Jordan told me nobody was allowed in Cay’s — I mean Jaynee’s room but Pat and myself.” It wasn’t a big slip, he was her brother after all — hilarious thought that was. They had to know her first name was Caycee.

  “He asked for you to be here — with Jaynee?” he sneered, his tone incredulous as he shook his head back and forth.

  Brian wondered if Jaynee had something going on with this guy and had confessed to him about their conversation at the coffee shop.

  Pat stared between both men, obviously as confused as he was. “Do you know each other?”