AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chaya slid the recorder back in her case before lifting her eyes to Ray. She let him hold her gaze, just as he had allowed her to hold his. “Natches is my weakness, Mr. Mackay,” she finally admitted. “And he doesn’t take no for an answer sometimes. ”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” he said, his voice gentle as he smiled back at her. “Are you using my nephew, Agent Dane?”
“No, Mr. Mackay. I’m trying to protect your nephew. ”
And to that, he nodded slowly. “And I believe you. Now I think you have some bridges to repair outside. Rowdy’s got a slow burn. He doesn’t do mad easy, but he’s getting close to mad. Dawg is ready to fight. And Natches will stand between them and you, but I’d hate to see that happen. Fix it, if you don’t mind. ”
“And I’m supposed to do that how?”
“By being honest, Miss Dane. As honest as you can be. Those three boys ain’t no one’s dummies, no matter what that Cranston fellow wants to think. And after today, they’re going to block you unless you’re smart enough to work with them. ”
“And if that threatens Natches?” she asked softly.
“Then now’s the time to warn him. ” He rose from his seat and watched her with that fatherly look that demanded action. The right action. “Let him help you, Miss Dane. You’d be amazed how easy he can be to get along with then. ”
And he was right. She couldn’t tell them the truth, because even she didn’t know the whole truth. But she could tell them enough to perhaps get them to back down. Because they had to back down, just for a little while longer.
He stared at the caller ID on the phone before answering it, his jaw clenching in anger.
“Yes?”
“They were here. ” Nadine’s voice was shaking with fury. “We have to do something now. ”
His lips thinned. “Settle down. Now’s not the time to do anything, peanut. We sit back and let her ask her questions. She can’t hurt us. ”
“She knows something,” Nadine hissed. “I could tell. And she’ll get what she needs. If she finds out, she’ll fry us. ”
“If you don’t calm down, you’ll fry us. You don’t know anything, remember that. Johnny was a good boy and you’re his mother. Period. ”
“They recorded Johnny bragging about belonging to Chandler. They did DNA tests. That bastard Dawg gave them blood and they matched it. They know it’s the truth. If they keep digging, they’ll find the connection. ”
Now that piece of information was worrisome. He hadn’t expected that. He’d managed to keep that information buried for too many years, he didn’t like it coming out now. Didn’t it just figure that Johnny had to brag? As though it were something to brag over.
“The connection is hidden, peanut. Take one of your pills and calm down. As soon as I can I’ll be there and we’ll talk. We’ll figure this out. Until then, remember, they can’t get anything unless you tell them. ” He hoped.
“Do something,” she whispered. “You have to do something before they question anyone else. They’ve already been to Wenden’s and Ray’s. If they keep digging, they could dig up something else. ”
If Johnny had revealed the truth about Chandler, God only knew what else he had let out. He grimaced at the thought of that. Hell, he had thought Johnny was smarter than that. He hated being wrong.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he promised her again. “If they show up again, don’t answer the door. Pretend you aren’t home. I’ll check into things and I’ll have something when I get there. ”
He heard her breathing, heard the little sigh of relief.
“Will you stay the night this time?” she asked then, that little whisper of hope bringing a smile to his lips.
“I’ll try to arrange it. I’ll call you when I’m coming. Promise you’ll stay calm, peanut. ”
“I promise. Until you get here. ”
“Until I get there. ”
He disconnected the phone, tapped his finger against it thoughtfully and began to make plans. It was sooner than he liked, but it was time to start cleaning things up.
TEN
Natches caught her as she came out of the marina office. His fingers latched around her arm and before she could do more than breathe a protest he began dragging her toward the Nauti Dreams.
He had no idea what the hell was going on here, but he was getting ready to find out. She wanted to question the rest of the damned town, that was fine and dandy by him, but when she started questioning family, then he expected answers.
