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Fifteen minutes after we ended our call, Terry pulled up so close his fender practically kissed mine, and he stepped out of his car with a crooked grin.
“Trying really hard with the pretty widow, aren’t ya bro?” He laughed when I flipped him off, coming to stand beside me in front of the open hood.
“Trying to be her friend, idiot,” and pointed at the cut wires. “Still think it’s a good idea to keep it a secret that the woman who held the job before her was murdered?”
My words had more bite to them than I intended because I knew Terry was doing his job, but I didn’t have to like it.
“I get that you’re pissed bro, and if that was my woman, I would be too. But telling her now when we don’t know a fucking thing won’t do her any good. It’ll make her nervous and jumpy for no damn reason.”
I knew my brother well and the way he raked one hand and then the other through his blond hair and the frustrated sigh he let out told me even he didn’t believe his bullshit. “Hell we don’t even know why Fiona was killed or who did it.”
“And why the fuck not? Isn’t Jasper supposed to be one step ahead of this shit? Don’t you think this is likely the same damn person?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, it might be. But what will telling her accomplish, Emmett?”
I sighed and turned to him. “Jesus Christ, Terry. It’ll make her more cautious, which could save her life. Damn! Maybe if Fiona knew she was in danger, she might not have opened the door to her killer. If she did, in fact, open the Goddamn door,” I added because I didn’t know.
“Yeah, maybe so, but she can’t know. Not yet.” He bit out a curse and his hands balled into fists; a clear sign he knew I was right.
“Fine but look. Whoever did this didn’t mean to cut the wire all the way through. They were probably hoping to cut it just enough that she’d have to stop somewhere on the side of the road. Where she’d be alone and vulnerable.” It was a thought I hadn’t wanted to voice, didn’t want to think about, but the frayed end of the wire bothered me. A lot.
Terry stared at the line for a long time as if he couldn’t tear his gaze away. Then, with a final growl, he stalked off and whipped out his phone. Probably to call Jasper because that was standard protocol in all things.
Period.
Even though I didn’t work for that side of the Ashby organization, I still worked for them and had to abide by the same rules and dictates as if I did work for that side. Family was family, after all, and even though I hated it, I’d keep the information to myself. And stick close to Vanessa.
“All right little brother,” he said with an arrogant smirk that made me want to punch him again, which I was sure was his intention, “keep her busy so we can get her car fixed and tell her it was just a loose spark plug.”
Before I could say anything, Terry held up a hand to stop me. “I know it’s shitty but it is what it is. For now, anyway.”
“Yeah, it really is shitty.”
Terry snorted out a laugh. “Poor Emmett has to spend time with a hot young widow. Where’s my tiny ass violin?”
“I think you missed your calling as a standup comedian because you’re a real fucking riot, Terry.”
“I know, right? Money is for shit though, so you’re stuck with me. Now go on and get outta here. You have an hour or so before Vanessa is finished at the game, go clean yourself up. Maybe slap on some cologne.”
I flipped him off as I made my way down the long driveway and slipped behind the steering wheel of my Tesla. “Thanks, bro!”
“Yeah, yeah. Just do me a favor and have a good time, all right?”
I nodded and drove off, deciding to stop at home for a quick shower before picking up Vanessa. Not that I was expecting anything, but a beautiful woman deserved more than a sweaty dinner companion.
Vanessa wore a big smile that lit up her whole face as she exited the building with Mace at her side. Her skin flushed pink as she slid into the passenger seat.
“Good night?” I asked.
“Yeah, pretty good. Made some great tips. I didn’t interrupt your evening, did I?”
Her dark brows dipped into a concerned frown that I brushed off.
“Well I did have to stop this really great thriller I’ve been reading, but I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to help, Vanessa.”
I rarely did things I didn’t want to after a childhood of having to do everything for myself and my folks, when they were too wasted to do anything.
