Read Enemies and Playmates Online
Authors: Darcia Helle
A knock on his door interrupted his warm thoughts. “Come in,” he said.
Suzanne stepped into the office. Her face was unusually pale. She hovered by the door. “You’d better take a look at today’s paper,” she said.
Alex frowned. “What is it now?”
“I…” Suzanne hurried over and laid the paper on the desk. “I’ll leave it with you.”
Alex flipped the paper over. The blazing headline mocked him. He was unaware of Suzanne leaving the room, the door closing behind her. He was halfway through the article when his private line rang. He snatched it up. “What is it?”
“It’s me,” Barnes said. “Have you seen today’s paper?”
“I’m looking at it now.”
“Alex, this is serious trouble for both of us.”
“Both of us? I don’t see your name in bold print!”
“I know. But the article implies things. It won’t be long before all the connections are made.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Cut our losses,” Alex said. “We have no choice. I’m going home to pack now.”
“Jesus Alex, my family. What’ll I tell Anna and the kids? I can’t leave without them.”
“That’s your decision. Your problem. I intend to go my own way. Alone.”
“I’m stunned,” Barnes said. “I can’t believe Lauren did this.”
“This is not Lauren. She would never do this on her own. Ryder’s responsible. For all of this. And I want him dead before I leave my home this evening.”
“Do you really think that’s wise?”
“What is wise no longer matters, now does it James?”
“I suppose not.”
“Find him,” Alex said. “Bring him to me. I’d prefer to see him alive. But if you find it necessary to shoot him in the process, dead will suffice.”
***
Jesse parked his car in the back of a convenience store two blocks from Covington’s house. He took his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Covington’s number. The phone rang five times before the answering machine picked up. Jesse broke the connection.
He walked casually, careful not to draw attention to himself. The neighborhood had a deserted feel. Everyone off at their jobs or their health clubs. He ran through a neighbor’s backyard and hopped the fence, dropping onto Covington’s property. The in-ground pool had a dark green cover stretched tightly across it. He walked around the fancy tile that surrounded the pool, staying out of sight of the windows as much as possible.
Jesse was behind the garage when he spotted Covington’s Mercedes coming down the street. A moment later, the garage door eased open, then closed. A car door slammed. Then silence.
Jesse had been hoping to get in while the house was still empty so he could grab Covington’s .38. Lauren had mentioned the gun once. Covington kept it in his bedroom, in the nightstand drawer. Lauren had been afraid her father might one day use it on her mother. Today Jesse wanted to turn it against its owner.
Damn. What now? He couldn’t use his own gun. That would be like putting a neon sign on his head for the cops and FBI to come running. Crouching here in the bushes certainly wasn’t getting him anywhere. He had to make a move. Do something.
His phone chirped. He cursed, realizing he’d forgotten to set it on vibrate. He punched the button and muttered a quiet hello.
“Jesse,” Tim said. “Where are you? What’s going on?”
“Umm… I’d rather not get into that right now.”
“Barnes ordered an all out hunt for you.”
“Lucky me.”
“You okay? Where the hell are you? And why are you whispering?”
“I’m okay,” Jesse said. “But that’s all I can say right now. Better for you that way.”
“Christ.”
“I’ll call you later. Thanks for the heads up.”
Jesse disconnected, then switched the ring to vibrate. Something rustled inside the garage. He chanced a peek in the window. Covington was there, by his trunk, lifting a suitcase. Going on a trip. Finally running scared.
While Jesse crouched in the bushes contemplating his next stupid move, another car approached. He caught a glimpse of the driver as the car slowly passed, making the turn into Covington’s driveway. Captain James Barnes. Perfect. Killing a cop, even a crooked cop, definitely was not on his list of stupid things to do today. So he did the only thing he could think of. He crouched deeper into the bushes, pulled out his phone, and dialed Rob Taylor’s number.
“Robert Taylor.”
“It’s Jesse Ryder. If you want Covington, you’d better get someone to his house quick.”
“You think he’s going to run?”
“I know he is.”
“We’re en route there now,” Rob said. “Got a warrant for his arrest.”
“How far are you?”
“Another fifteen, maybe twenty minutes.”
“Long time.”
“Where are you?”
“Watching him,” Jesse said. “Captain James Barnes is with him.”
“Any way you can safely keep him in place?”
“I could shoot him.”
“Aside from that.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“If he takes off, try and follow,” Rob said. “Safely, of course.”
Sure, that might work if his car wasn’t two blocks away. “Yeah, okay,” Jesse muttered.
He stuffed the phone in his pocket and crept around to the side of the garage. No voices, no sounds. He peeked inside. No one there.
Jesse hunkered down and waited. No sense doing anything crazy. Not with a cop in the house. And the feds on their way. That was a surprise. They’d actually gotten their shit together quicker than Jesse expected.
His legs began to throb. This was not the highlight of his career. Voices drifted out from the garage. He checked his watch. Ten minutes had passed. He could always blow out Covington’s tires. That would sure stop him.
The voices rose and fell. Jesse couldn’t make out the words. Then the garage door eased open.
“I have a five o’clock flight,” Alex was saying. “But I won’t say where I’ll end up.”
“I understand,” Barnes said. “I’m going to talk to Anna. I have to tell her. I don’t imagine she’ll come with me. You know Anna, she wouldn’t like life on the run.”
“I don’t intend to be on the run. Long ago I took precautions. I have a new identity already built. Enough money to do as I please. I’ll be quite comfortable where I’m going.”
“I wish I’d had your foresight,” Barnes said.
A car door creaked open at the same moment that a brown sedan pulled in front, blocking the driveway. Rob Taylor and another man stepped out of the car, guns drawn. Rob shouted, “Alex Covington, FBI. Both of you step away from the car.”
Jesse stepped out from his hiding place. He was stunned to see Alex pull a gun from his coat pocket, grab Barnes around the neck, and press the gun against his forehead. “Put your guns on the ground,” Alex demanded.
Both agents froze. “Now,” Alex said. “Or I’ll splatter this police captain’s brains all over the pavement.”
“Okay, calm down,” Rob said. “Killing him isn’t going to get you anywhere. You know that.”
Jesse stood unnoticed by the edge of the garage. No one had made eye contact or even turned his way. But Rob knew he was there. He was sure of that.
Alex squeezed his arm tighter around Barnes’ neck. Red-faced and frozen with fear, Barnes stared at the FBI agents, a silent plea in his eyes. Several minutes passed in which both agents tried calmly talking to Alex. But Alex was not about to give in. He was a desperate man.
Alex demanded the agents move their car, then toss him the keys. He couldn’t get his car out of the garage, as Barnes had parked his own shiny Lincoln in the way. So he’d been shoving Barnes toward the Lincoln’s driver’s door. He kept Barnes directly in front of him so that the agents had no clear shot.
Jesse drew his gun. He watched Rob, who gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Then Jesse called, “Hey Covington, isn’t it me you really want?”
Alex turned. His icy glare instantly narrowed. “You son of a bitch.”
The agents had no clear shot. Alex turned the .38 he’d been holding against Barnes’ temple, aimed it at Jesse. That split second seemed to last an eternity. Jesse’s eyes fixed on Alex’s hand. He was slow on the trigger. Inexperienced.
The agents moved closer. Cautious. They didn’t want heroics getting them shot. Barnes’ mouth hung open. The agents shouted commands. Jesse heard the sounds but didn’t comprehend the words. He was busy staring into the eyes of his enemy. For a brief moment, they were suspended in time, appraising each other, despising each other.
Jesse dropped his gaze. Barnes struggled. Alex tightened his grip, repositioned his aim. His fingers tightened around the .38 that had probably never been fired.
Jesse squeezed his trigger. Two shots. One his. Another whizzed by him and struck the tree to his right. The gun fell from Alex’s hand. Barnes scrambled away. A spray of red splattered over the Lincoln’s windshield. Alex sank to the ground, a perfect round hole in the center of his forehead.
34
Lauren tossed the rose she’d been holding onto the grave. She stood in the bright July sunshine, staring down at the headstone. Stephen Alexander Covington. Seventeen years old. Wherever he and their father were right now, maybe they were at last able to make peace.
Lauren said a silent prayer, then turned and took Jesse’s arm. As they walked down the hill, they passed her father’s grave. A chill ran through her. His presence, even in death, was still enough to make her shudder.
“You okay?” Jesse asked.
“Yeah, it’s getting easier.”
“Well don’t be crying anymore today. The guest of honor can’t have smudged makeup.”
Lauren stopped and wrapped her arms around Jesse’s neck. She pressed her body against his and their lips met. “I love you,” she said. “But I wish you hadn’t done this.”
“It wasn’t all me.” He pulled the car door open and held it for her. “Your mother wanted it to be a surprise party but I knew you’d freak. Surprise parties aren’t your thing.”
“No, definitely not.”
Jesse slid into the driver’s side. “I am proud of you,” he said.
Lauren’s cheeks flushed. “I know. Thanks.”
“How does it feel to have an actual book contract?”
“Great. Scary. But, you know, in a weird kind of way, it makes me feel like something good came out of all the hell my father caused.”
“Any ideas for a title yet?”
“I’m thinking Enemies and Playmates.”
***
The parking lot at the rented hall was jammed. Lauren was shocked when they pulled in. For some reason, she’d assumed this would be a small gathering. “Are all these people here for the party?” she asked.
“You’re a popular lady,” Jesse said.
Lauren received a greeting like she’d never expected. More than a hundred people applauded as she walked through the door. The hall was beautifully decorated and they’d even managed to get her favorite local band to play.
Later, Lauren stood by the buffet table while Jesse danced with her mother. Marc came up beside her. “How is the guest of honor doing?” he asked.
“Great,” Lauren said. “I’ve been watching my mom. She looks beautiful tonight. Better every day.”
“I think so, too. The therapy has helped her a lot.”
“I have a feeling it’s more than the therapy.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Lauren grinned. “She finally fulfilled that dream she’d always had. She’s happily married.”
“Well that makes two of us.”
Gina came in the front entrance and stood scanning the room. She was holding her son, Michael Stephen Kent, in her arms. Lauren spotted her and waved. “I was hoping you’d make it,” she said as Gina approached.
“I wanted to feed Michael before we came,” Gina said. “Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” Lauren reached her arms out. “Can I hold my godson?”
“Sure.”
Lauren took the sleeping baby in her arms. “He’s so beautiful, Gina.”
“That’s because he looks like his godmother.”
Lauren laughed. “No, I think that crop of dark hair definitely says he’s a mommy’s boy.”
She stroked his cheek. His eyelids fluttered and fought to open. For one brief instant, they opened wide. In that moment Lauren couldn’t miss those eyes. Those same steel blue eyes.
***
Lauren snuggled up against Jesse. His bare skin was warm against hers. He snored softly. She glanced at the clock. Nearly four a.m. and still she hadn’t slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her father and those icy steel blue eyes that had haunted her most of her life. She reminded herself that just because the baby had his same eyes didn’t mean he’d be anything like her father. Their father.