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The siding was rough wood, though in perfect condition, and sheltered by a wide front porch that gave it a charm and elegance that had always attracted Maggie. The garage that housed Joe’s prized Mustang was attached to the back of the house rather than the side, and led into a large, homey kitchen.
Joe pulled the SUV into the back driveway and sat for several moments, the engine idling as he stared at the garage doors.
“Grant had a key to the garage.” He ran his hand wearily over his face.
They had napped for several hours before leaving, and though he didn’t look tired, he did appear weary. Much as she felt, Maggie thought. After two years of a hellish marriage to Grant, and then the past week of knowing the danger her life was in, she felt exhausted inside.
“Did he have a key to the house?” She turned back to the garage, staring at the darkened windows as her heart raced in her chest.
“No. Just the garage.” He turned off the ignition but made no move to leave the vehicle.
They had driven around the block several times over the past hour. Joe had parked across from the house for what seemed like forever, before driving around again and heading for the back drive.
“Do you think someone is watching the house?” she asked, as he continued to watch the shadows.
“I have no doubt,” he sighed. “If they tracked who I am, and I’m going to assume they have. As often as Grant railed about me in his journals, I’m certain he would have carried the bitch over to his new friends.” The bitterness in his voice had her heart clenching in pain.
“What do we do then? How do we get in there without being seen?”
“We don’t do anything…”
“I’m not staying in the vehicle, Joe.” She shook her head fiercely at the thought. “It would be too easy for someone to get the jump on me.”
“Leave the doors locked.”
“If they had a gun to your head I’d unlock them.” Her nerves were about to choke her.
He breathed in roughly. “Okay, we’ll go in together, but stay on my ass and be ready to move. You jump when I say jump, don’t bother asking how high.”
Her lips twitched at the follow-up order.
“Don’t ask how high. Got it.” She nodded firmly.
“And carry this.” He opened the glove box, reached in, and pulled out a small revolver. “I know you know how to use it.”
Of course, she did—he had made certain she took firearms lessons the minute they had begun seeing each other years before.
“A woman’s best friend.” She gripped the weapon firmly.
“I thought that was diamonds?” he quipped as he scanned the area again.
“What do you think protects the diamonds?” she shot back, fighting to steady her nerves, to find at least a small measure of the calm he was displaying.
“The area is pretty sheltered here with the trees.” He pointed out the large trunks of the oaks growing between his property and the houses on each side. “We should be secure as we move to the garage. Keep your ears open and stay ready, Maggie.”
He reached beneath the dash, disabled the interior lights, then opened the door slowly and eased out of the vehicle. As he stood to the side, Maggie scrambled out after him, easing behind him as he pushed the door closed silently.
They moved quickly to the garage, where Joe unlocked the side door and opened it carefully before pulling her along with him.
The air in the garage was stale, rife with the scent of motor oil, a hint of paint and old grease. Maggie wrinkled her nose at the smell as her eyes struggled to adjust to the near pitch-black darkness.
A second later a small beam of light pierced the black surroundings, directing low, and angling toward the cherry red ’69 Mustang Joe pampered like a baby.
“Hello, baby,” he murmured as he walked to the car, patting the hood affectionately.
Maggie rolled her eyes.
“It’s not a baby, Joe,” she reminded him as she restrained her grin. It was an old argument, and one of the few she often instigated herself.
