Jayden Roe Mystery 02-The Final Lie by Lily Campbell (read a book .TXT) 📗

Stella watched the door slide shut, fitting seamlessly with the wall, and her heart sank. At first, she had thought that she might have been kidnapped in order for her to be ransomed to her father. Or that perhaps she had just stumbled upon something like that but with Miranda Williams as the intended target. Now, it seemed a little more complex than that. The woman had seemed annoyed rather than concerned that ‘the other one’ had slipped into a coma. If they were wanted for ransom, then at some point, proof that they were alive would be needed, wouldn’t it? And if this woman had a boss, then was this an organized crime thing?

Stella pressed her back against the cold wall. It was in her nature to try to figure out other people’s motives and desires. It was what made her a good lawyer. Yet at the moment, she had nothing that would give her more answers.

She felt a spear of determination break through the engulfing wave of despair. What would they do if she was in a coma? Would her bonds be unlocked so they could treat her better? Might she even be moved? Stella wasn’t certain how to fake a coma, especially as she felt certain this woman was a doctor of some kind, but she was definitely going to try something along those lines.

***

Dave tossed his bag in the trunk alongside Jay’s and then slowly rolled his shoulder. The pain was evident as he bit back curses.

Jay took in his expression and patted him lightly on the other shoulder. “I’m not sure I ever thanked you. For your reckless act of bravery.”

Dave’s green-blue eyes crinkled at the edges. “I did it for myself, remember? Entirely selfish reasons.”

Jay chuckled too. “Selfish or not, you still saved either my life or Mr. Haraby’s.”

“Would his death not have been helpful to you?”

Jay paused in the act of opening his car door and cast Dave a curious glance. “Just because he hates me, doesn’t mean I’d hurt Stella by allowing him to be killed.”

“Is that why you put a tracker on Ben too?” Dave asked as they slipped into the car.

It was still early morning, and Jay had to squint at Dave in the low, bright sunlight. “You caught that, did you?”

Dave smirked. “Of course. My injury didn’t make me blind.”

“I’m not sure… No, actually I am absolutely sure that I wouldn’t have come this far without you. You have been a major help to me and everyone else.”

Dave held his gaze a moment and nodded, though something in his expression made Jay feel like he was annoyed by something.

Jay gunned the engine and started a journey that would take them most of the day, from New Orleans to Carthage, Texas, with a stop off in Natchitoches to give the box and bracelet over to Natalie.

He looked at Dave from the corner of his eye. It seemed like Dave’s brush with death had changed him a little. He no longer seemed happy to take all of Jay’s comments.

“Why do you seem lost in thought?”

Dave’s cheeks reddened slightly, and he shrugged. “I suppose I’m wondering how everyone always seems to write or speak about you like you’re this arrogant prick who never shares. I mean, I’ve only been working with you for twelve days, and I already know better.”

Jay huffed a laugh. “Weren’t you paying attention at the Williams estate? That’s how I speak to my clients. I get them results swiftly. How could my reputation be any different than it is?”

Dave nodded slowly as they stopped at a red light.

“I’ve never had a partner. Never had anyone worked so closely beside me. You were bound to catch glimpses of the Jayden Roe that doesn’t often make a public appearance.”

Dave seemed to suppress a smile. “Are you regretting letting me on?”

Jay rolled his eyes. “How is that even a question after everything I said?”

Dave smirked, then froze and pointed out the passenger side window. “Look!”

Jay followed his glance in time to see a person, dressed head-to-toe in black, vanish into the gathering crowds on the sidewalk.

“Should we follow?”

Jay felt his heart hammering in his chest. “No. We stick to the plan.”

Dave cast him a sidelong glance. “Are you sure? Didn’t you go somewhere yesterday? Shouldn’t you at least warn them?”

The lights changed, and Jay hit the accelerator. He was trying hard not to laugh at the idea that The Serpent Brothers could possibly be caught unaware in their own town.

“No need. New Orleans won’t be another Salisbury, I guarantee it.”

Dave frowned, but remained silent. Jay felt a wave of sympathy. He had returned from his impromptu lunch only to find Dave a mild wreck, already having learned that his gaggle of gossipers had all been killed. He seemed to have taken some satisfaction as he had watched Jay compile a neat sheaf of evidence for the Salisbury police, so that they would stop chasing the wrong man.

Jay flashed him a grin. “Don’t worry, Dave, we’ll win this fight.”

Dave met his eyes and a broad smile tipped his lips.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Jay pulled off Interstate 49 and headed into Shreveport. There, in the safety of the trees, he would see if Hector still had the noble knight image he was striving for.

“Why are we stopping here?” Dave asked as Jay drove into a mall lot and parked. “Hang on, why are we in Shreveport?”

Jay chuckled and felt another wave of gratitude. Dave seemed to have a gift for making others feel at ease and smile. It was a blessing with the pressure to find Stella mounting with every passing hour. The fact that he was being tailed helped too. It gave him hope that she was alive for whatever messed