Degrees of darkness, p.51
Degrees of Darkness, page 51
If Candace did completely wipe her phone, then any trace back to Jared was gone. Safe from the unwanted attentions of Anderson and Moreno. Their natural inclination as cops would have both men digging where they shouldn’t. Eventually, they would learn that Jared was Remy’s former patrol partner, then all hell would break loose.
Anderson might have proven himself more than capable of handling the likes of a professional assassin, but it stopped here. The man was a Marine with a mile wide streak of honesty that was bound to stir up more trouble for Remy in the coming weeks and months.
He glanced at Anderson. Just who was his partner that he thought he knew what Remy had done in New Orleans? With McBride dead and no one to stop anyone from probing into Remy’s past, everything about him became free information. And unknowingly, Anderson just put Cody at greater risk.
No. Cody would be the last person to learn Remy’s secrets, simply because the cowgirl was as persistent as a mosquito. For now, what little she’d learned would be it. She was somewhat protected if she remained ignorant of the details and the names of people involved.
“What do you think?” Anderson asked. “Think there’s enough here to prove that Candace was McBride’s killer?”
“Probably more than enough. That part of the case you can close. Finding out who put the hit on him; might be a mystery you’ll never solve.”
“Damn shame.” Anderson stood. “Ready to call the sheriff out here?”
Remy rose, feeling the aches and pains from his fight with Candace as he straightened. “I think so.” He stared down the hill at the activity going on at the explosion site. “Did you set off that diversion?” He looked at Anderson.
“No.” A wry smile appeared. “Your redheaded spitfire did that. She seriously scared the crap out of me when they went off, but it was perfect timing. I was able to grab my gun case and get inside the stable without being shot.”
Remy grunted. “And I made it to the creek unscathed.” What other surprises did Cody have for him? “She’s heartbroken over the house. Logan might be a different matter.”
“We kept his daughter alive. I don’t think he’ll care about the house so much.”
They stood there in silence for a moment, staring at each other. Anderson opened his mouth to say something, closed it, and shook his head. He started down the hill.
Remy lingered a moment, studying Candace’s sniper nest. Something fluttered under the backpack. Frowning, he squatted down. A piece of paper stuck out, dancing in the breeze. He checked on Anderson’s progress down the hill — his partner was walking past Candace’s body. Slowly, Remy slid the note out from under the bag.
With the aid of the moonlight, he made out his name and a large C at the bottom of the page. Candace bothered to leave him a note? Wadding it up, he shoved it in his pocket and stood. Whatever it was, it wasn’t meant for anyone else’s eyes. He hurried down the hill to catch up with Anderson.
Upon passing her body, Remy glanced at Kendra Lilimeyer aka Candace. She died leaving more questions than answers. But he was a few steps closer to figuring out the person behind Jared Savard.
The man who ultimately ruined Remy’s life. And posed a greater threat to Cody than any serial killer or professional assassin.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Cody tugged the blanket closer to her body and shivered. The adrenaline crash was doing a real number on her system. She scooted back from the edge of the tailgate on JC’s truck, tucked her legs under her, and burrowed deeper into the blanket.
JC and some of the local ranchers who’d shown up were trying to move the broodmares that weren’t hurt in the blast and doctor the ones that were. The mares would need at least a week of confinement away from the chaos going on until they were settled.
The fire crew milled about, finishing their tasks and stowing their gear, the LP gas long used up and the fire now extinguished. Remy and Heath, along with the sheriff and his crew, were busy with their crime scene.
Everyone had something to do but her. She propped her chin on her hand and stared at the rotating red lights on one of the fire trucks. Fatigue dragged on her shoulders, and her eyelids felt like lead weights. The minute the sheriff released her, she was getting cleaned up and finding a bed, where she planned to sleep forever.
Wait? She straightened. Where in the world would she stay? She groaned. She didn’t have a stitch of clothing, except for the rank filthy mess she now wore. Whoever took her in would have to take her shopping.
Cody’s gaze drifted back to the shattered remains of her life. So many of her happiest memories were tied up in the confines of the Lewis home. And many of her deepest sorrows. Dad had grown up here, and he’d cared for his dying parents after returning home from Vietnam. He’d married Momma behind the house. Taught his only child the ins and outs of ranching, horses, and how to be an honest cowgirl.
Tears coated her vision. Was she a horrible person to feel glad the Candace woman was dead? Cody bowed her head and sniffed. The assassin had deserved to die. Cody raised her head and scowled. And she was so over being the bad guy’s pawn.
The crunch of gravel alerted her to company.
Heath hooked a leg over the edge of the tailgate and sat on the corner. “It’s a house, Cody. You can rebuild.”
“Not just a house; it was my home. My safe haven.”
He peered over his shoulder, stared a few moments, and then focused on her again. “Your daddy might see it differently. I think you’ll be his biggest concern.”
Cody crossed her arms. “He’s going to be torked at Remy for even putting me in this situation. When I called him, I just gave him the bare facts. The house blew up, and no one was hurt.”
“And what did he say?”
She snorted. “If LeBeau had anything to do with it, he’ll throttle him.” A weak smile played with her mouth. “He’s gotta get through me first to do it.”
Heath chuckled. “Right there tells me you’ll bounce back just fine.”
Studying the man next to her, Cody didn’t see Remy’s partner any more. Heck, she didn’t even see the handsome guy who had a penchant for shamelessly flirting. For the first time since meeting him she saw what he tried so hard to hide from the rest of the world.
A hero.
“Thanks for what you did.”
He shrugged. “You didn’t do too bad yourself. I kind of expected you to have a breakdown during the middle of all it. But you kept your cool.” Patting her knee, Heath slid off the tailgate. “I liked the distraction technique. But a warning would’ve been nice.”
“Yeah, well, you and Remy were hell-bent on doing it your way. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise when I tried.”
“Why do I get the impression that never stopped you before?”
She gave him a sly grin.
With a shake of his head, he turned to leave.
“Heath.”
“Yeah?”
She scanned the area. Good, JC was still busy with the horses, and Remy stood next to the sheriff, far off. Cody scooted to the end of the tailgate. “Best guess. Is it over?”
He looked in Remy’s direction, then leaned toward her. “Far from it. And he knows it.”
Drawing in a cleansing breath, she forged forward. “I want you to train me to shoot better and be able to fend off an attacker.”
A startled frown popped onto his face. “What?”
“I’d give my best barrel horse betting you know about Remy’s wife, Marie. And” she leaned forward “you know more about what happened to him in New Orleans than you’re letting on.”
Red stained his cheeks. “I plead the fifth.”
“Too bad. You and I both know Remy’s scared spitless that what happened to his wife will happen to me. And I aim to not let the past repeat itself. I will fight back. And I want you to be the one to teach me how.”
Heath rubbed his bristled chin and sighed. “He’s not going to like this.”
“He doesn’t have to know. In fact, he’s not going to know. I don’t want anyone to know, not Kim and definitely not JC or Dad. It stays between us.”
“Okay.” He dropped his hand. “But we do this my way. And that means you’re going to have to face some things that are going to make you want to quit. But I won’t let you. Think you’re ready to handle it?”
Mulling over his terms, Cody stared at Remy. There was more to the story of how Marie died. And somewhere deeply imbedded in Remy lingered a fear someone wanted to exploit.
Cody would never be a Creole beauty or tolerate those from the upper crust of society. She was a brash, ill-tempered, country girl with an ingrained instinct to survive. An instinct born out of tragedy and violence. But it was those traits that had forged her bond with Remy. He’d survived a deadly attack, escaped from someone powerful enough to order his death, and built a new life for himself in unfamiliar territory. Where he’d found the strength to love again.
And he didn’t love just any woman. He loved her.
This mysterious enemy wouldn’t find Cody an easy target. She nodded. “It’s time to face it and deal with it. I think … no, I know, I’m ready.”
“We start in two days.” Heath started to walk away.
“Heath.”
He hesitated.
“You’re a good man. And Kim likes you.” Cody shrugged deeper into the blanket. “Hurt her, and I’ll hunt you down.”
He laughed and continued walking.
• • •
After Remy ensured Cody was safely lodged at the Manning ranch, he returned to his condo. She made it clear for both of their sakes, she was better off with JC’s family than with Remy. Cody might be a grown woman, but Logan still held the mantle of protective father — and he was one man Remy refused to cross.
He punched in the alarm code and gingerly removed his boots. The alarm buzzed and beeped, then settled into its job. Leaving his boots by the backdoor, he headed into the kitchen with the stack of mail in hand. Remy shuffled through the envelopes. An official-looking letter stayed his hand.
He let the rest hit the counter with a thud and ripped into it. The blue seal on the outside didn’t give him warm, fuzzy feelings. He pulled out the letter, took a deep breath, and unfolded it. The letterhead confirmed his fears.
On Moreno’s report of Remy’s insubordination and the suspicion that he withheld evidence, IA would be reviewing the matter. Until they came to a verdict, Remy would remain on suspension without pay. And if any more infractions occurred during this time, he could see a more severe punishment. They reminded him he could not leave Dallas until after IA made their decision.
Remy crumpled the letter. At this point they had nothing to prove the allegations. There was no proof he’d withheld evidence. What they did have against him was his stupid stunt with the two rapists.
And what happened tonight wouldn’t matter. Hell, it might make a case against Moreno’s allegations. Either way, Remy would forever be under Iron Man’s thumb.
Scrubbing his bruised, dirty face, Remy groaned. This complication could wait. He just wanted a hot shower and to sleep the rest of the day. He left the kitchen and headed upstairs to his bedroom.
Before he entered the bathroom, he paused and looked at the bed. It was still rumpled from the night before last and there was a slight indentation on the right side where Cody had slept. Would her scent still linger on the pillow? God, he hoped so. He wanted some good memories to hold onto while he slept.
Before he shed his filthy, smoke-scented clothing, he pulled out the wad of paper he lifted from Candace’s things. If he’d been caught with this, his current predicament with the DPD would hold water. By taking this note, he truly crossed the line.
Remy unfolded it.
LeBeau, remember Alphonse. Candace.
How was she so sure he’d find this? Why write it?
Remy crumpled it again. Alphonse. That was the name she’d given him. The name of the man behind Jared Savard and behind Remy’s death sentence. This Alphonse had been instrument in killing Marie. And if he ever learned about Cody, she’d be next.
Remy was done running. Done hiding. Jared had blown his cover, so it was pointless. Screw what Paul thought or wanted. Remy was going to put an end to this for good.
Alphonse would pay.
Remy would get his retribution.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Her second day at the Manning’s home, and Cody was going stir crazy. She needed something to do. The county, the Lewis’s insurance company, the sheriff’s department, and the fire department were all taking care of the situation with the house. There was no need for her assistance there. And the sheriff said her testimony of what happened that night was solid.
Elsewhere in the Manning house, Dad was busy assuring the owners of the horses he trained that none of their prized animals were hurt and that this was a freak accident. Cody felt sorry for him. He lost his home, he was being harassed by some unsympathetic people who cared more about their assets than him, and his daughter had narrowly escaped another attempt on her life, after she got drunk again. Cody wondered if maybe he considered his time in Vietnam a cakewalk compared to his current predicament.
Meandering through the Manning’s living room, Cody twirled a red coil around her finger and gnawed on her lip. She’d made the call to the support group counselor and her first appointment was in a few days. The counselor could even help with the PTSD.
She sighed. What she really needed was to see Remy.
The moment the sheriff had cleared them the day of the blast, Remy headed to Dallas. And she hadn’t seen or heard from him since. Seven phone calls and no answer. What was the deal?
She called Heath, and he said he got the same problem. No answer. But they’d made plans to start her self-defense training tomorrow afternoon. Now the trick would be to slip away unnoticed by anyone on the Manning ranch.
A knock on the front door stopped Cody’s pacing. Visitors! She bolted from the living room and skidded across the floor, beating JC’s mom to the door. “I got it.”
She flashed a frown at Cody and then retreated to the kitchen.
Sighing, Cody popped the door open. “Kim!” Her friend lifted her head and the red eyes shot daggers into Cody’s chest. “What’s wrong?”
Kim peered into the house and then beckoned her to step outside. Using her crutches, Kim limped a safe distance from the house, settling on an old tree swing.
Cody took the seat next to her. “Are you okay?”
Shaking her head, Kim dragged in a ragged breath. “Not even close.”
“Then, what’s up?”
“In a minute.” Kim gave her weak smile. “How are you doing?”
Cody had already given her best friend the low down on what happened. In turns, Kim was shocked, appalled, and overly interested in what Cody, Remy, and Heath had done to take down a professional assassin. She’d mentioned it was like seeing a new side to Cody.
“I’m fine. Dad’s fine. And we’re getting a new house once insurance signs off on the claim.”
“That’ll be nice.” Kim stared straight ahead, her hand methodically rubbing the spot where she’d been cut. “Cody, I found out something.” She glanced over, then resumed her far-off stare. “Something my parents have been hiding from me for thirty-one years.”
A chill pierced Cody to the bones. Did Kim know about her adoption?
“I don’t know if I should be angry with them? Sad? Or … I just don’t know.”
“What is it?” Cody asked.
Finally, Kim looked at her. “My parents have been lying about my true birth. I’m not their daughter. Mom … Hillary thought you said something to me when I asked about the blood transfusion. She lost it. Started crying about you telling me I wasn’t theirs. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Cody took hold of her hand and stilled her movements. “I found out the night you were attacked. But your parents made me swear not to say anything to you. So I didn’t. For some reason they thought your life was in danger.”
“Some danger.” She stiffened her back and twisted to face Cody. “I insisted they tell me everything, but both of them begged me to stop talking about it. I wasn’t giving up. I have a right to know who my birthparents are and why they thought I was in danger. When they wouldn’t at least tell me the name of my birthmother … I moved out.”
Cody blinked. “You did what?”
“You heard me right. I found an apartment in Fort Worth. It works out better this way. I can sort through all this nonsense and be close to the store.”
“Kim, are you sure — ”
She held up a hand. “Positive. It’s the best thing for me. But that’s not the only reason I came to see you. The apartment is a two bedroom. And, well, since you don’t have a place right now, I thought maybe you’d want to move in with me. Until your new house is built.”
“Really?”
Kim grasped her hands and squeezed. “Please, Cody. I need my closest friend with me right now.” She leaned closer. “Glory and I talked it over. We’ve got some clothes you can wear.”
“What! No, Kim. I can’t. I can’t even afford to buy your clothes.”
“Don’t worry about cost. Despite my little escapade with a knife, the buyers loved the lines, and we’ve got funding coming out of our ears.” A gleam passed over Kim’s eyes, giving them the life they’d been missing the last few minutes. “Besides, you’re still great for a walking billboard.”
