Chapter Six
Nate
“Nate?”
Perry’s questioning voice jerked me out of my mental fog. Snapping my head in his direction, I said, “Sorry. What?”
Perry’s happy expression morphed into worry. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I sort-of lied. Nothing was wrong right this minute, but there was a hell of a lot that was wrong in general.
“That’s not what your face says.”
I rubbed my jaw, needlessly searching for what Perry had seen. “Sorry, my mind wandered.”
“It looks like wherever it went wasn’t pleasant. Are you thinking about a case? Do you need to speak with Nat? You know I don’t mind. The world doesn’t stop simply because we’re in a different county.”
Guilt stabbed hard and deep. Hands down, Perry was the most understanding person I’d ever been with. Past lovers had tried to deal with my profession, but eventually, it wore even the most pragmatic down. Between my uncertain hours and the fact I hunted down murderers, my job took its toll not just on me, but on whoever I was with.
Perry was different. I couldn’t count all the ways that word fit my fiancé. Each and every one was in the best way possible. I could be me with Perry. I didn’t have to try and hide my work life from him. While I wanted to shield him from the ugliness, Perry didn’t need to be sheltered. He’d survived the ugliest of the ugly and lived to tell the tale. He’d come through the other side more cautious but no less generous.
“I don’t need to call Nat,” I answered finally while pulling him against me, relishing in the warmth of his body and the way it naturally nestled and fit into mine.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. There’s a pretty good chance I’ll zone in and out while we’re here. I don’t want you to worry. It’s just hard turning my brain off.” While that wasn’t the whole truth, it wasn’t a lie either. My brain constantly churned and ruminated.
“Okay, just let me know if you need some private time, or if you need to talk with Nat or your captain. I’ll understand.”
“I know you will.” I held Perry a little bit tighter until I noticed our skin was starting to stick together. Releasing Perry, I inhaled deeply. “It’s been a long time since I’ve lived without air-conditioning. I’ve seen a few fans scattered about, but it’s not a good sign if we’re hot and sweaty and it’s not even noon yet.”
“I suppose if we get desperate enough, we can head to the car and turn on the A/C for a bit.”
Contemplating that, I nodded. “We’ll consider it a last resort.”
“Sounds good.”
Taking a couple of steps away, Perry said, “I’ll shoot Gayle a text to let her know we arrived okay. If I don’t, she’ll be—” On cue, Perry’s phone rang. “Speak of the she-devil.” Perry accepted the call and said, “Hey, Gayle, I was just getting ready to—” Perry rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry. I was excited and forgot to contact you as soon as we arrived.” Perry covered the receiver and mouthed, “She’s mad.”
It sounded like this was going to be a longer conversation than expected, and I decided to take the opportunity to try and speak with Delia and—perhaps Malcom—alone.
Pointing toward the door, I said, “I’m gonna do a little exploring.”
Perry waved me off as he plopped down on a nearby chair. Given his grimace, I got the feeling the cushion wasn’t as comfortable as he thought it would be.
Heading out the door, I glanced around. There was a lot more activity than when we’d first arrived. More and more Maverick Insurance employees were arriving. It was amazing just how normal they appeared. Then again, maybe most of them were simply what they portrayed themselves to be: typical insurance agents. It was beyond strange, not knowing. And if they were your average working Joes, did they have any idea what the company they worked for was truly into? If they were in the know, were they aware that I was too? At least sort of.
Delia had said it was good, keeping in mind that I was an “officer of the law.” It was a reminder, maybe one we both needed. In another world, I would have liked Delia. Not that I disliked her now, not really. I didn’t know what to do with Delia Carpenter. If she’d done half the things I suspected, she was one hell of a dangerous woman. She was also Perry’s friend and seemed determined to keep him safe and avenge him. While I didn’t agree with her methods, I could hardly fault Delia’s motivation.
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, my back felt bare without my shoulder holster. I’d brought my gun, and it was safely kept in my lockbox. The box was currently in my vehicle. I’d head there after seeking out Delia or Malcom and bring the box to our cabin. I had a shotgun in the vehicle too. Perry was too used to seeing it to mention its continued presence.
With my two guns and a knife, most would consider me decently armed. I had no illusion I was possibly the least dangerous person within a mile radius.
Delia was easy to spot. She was sitting on the small porch of her cabin, a tumbler in her right hand. I had no idea what was in it but doubted it was anything intoxicating. When she saw me, Delia’s lips curved into a knowing grin. That grin never faltered as I moved closer. When I stepped onto the narrow porch, she said, “Have a seat, Detective.”
I didn’t correct her and took the offered chair. The miniscule breeze didn’t so much as place a dent in the overriding humidity.
“It’s going to be a warm retreat,” Delia said, mimicking my thoughts.
“I checked the weather before we came. Storms are expected midweek, but nothing but steam and heat before that.”
“Indiana summer at its finest,” Delia said, saluting with her tumbler.
We sat there as the seconds ticked by. Delia didn’t seem in a hurry to interrupt the silence, but I wasn’t sure how much time I had. Perry and Gayle could talk for hours or a few minutes. At this point, it was anyone’s guess.
“Something on your mind or are we going to humbly sit discussing the humidity?” Delia arched her neck, looking at my cabin. “I’m assuming Perry is otherwise occupied.”
“He’s on the phone with Gayle.”
Delia’s smile appeared genuine. “They have an endearing relationship.”
“That’s one way of phrasing it.”
Delia’s gentle laughter eased some of the tension. “I would also say it is an envious relationship. Few are so lucky as to find such a ride-or-die friend.”
I couldn’t disagree and nodded. Inhaling deeply, I said, “I assume Malcom is scouting the area.”
“You assume correctly.”
“I’m also going to assume he’s already done recon here prior to picking Billings State Park for the retreat.”
“Correct again, Detective.” Delia’s smile turned a little brittle.
I looked around and shook my head. “There are a lot of places to hide. I don’t like it. There’s no way to make certain it’s secure.”
“If it were totally secure, Willie would not be tempted to come out and play.” Delia took a sip of her drink. She didn’t offer me a beverage.
With a grunt, I leaned back and gripped the edge of my chair a little tighter. “I already told Malcom I don’t like the idea of using Perry as bait. He informed me that Perry was already bait and that he was simply changing the venue.”
“Hmm, sounds like something Malcom would say.”
“And you agree?” I wasn’t sure why, but it was important to know that Delia was of the same mind as her boss. It might have been foolish, but I trusted Delia more than Malcom. I trusted that they both wanted to keep Perry safe, that they both liked him and had their reasons, but there was something in Delia’s demeanor that made me respect her opinion more. Maybe it was Malcom’s cockiness that I didn’t like. He was almost too self-assured. While Delia was confident, she didn’t strike me as reckless.
Delia did a slow blink, and her grin slipped, easing her face into an expressionless mask. She stared, eyes boring into me before she finally answered, “This is important to you.”
“That you agree with Malcom’s plan? Yes.”
Slowly, the planes of Delia’s face relaxed, easing her expression and softening her eyes. “My, my, my, Detective. I had not expected that. If you were in love with anyone but Perry, I would work very hard to change your opinion. You have no idea how few and far between men like you are.” Bitterness leaked into Delia’s words. Sometimes, there were reasons people deviated from life’s norms. What happened to Delia to make becoming an assassin-for-hire her life path? Darkness lingered there. I’d seen it enough during my years in homicide. Pain left its mark, even when someone attempted to bury it in the deepest, darkest hole their brain could conjure.
Delia Carpenter’s past held pain. I’d bet my life on it. In some ways, I was betting both Perry and my lives on it. Whatever the reasons, Delia’s scars had been enough to motivate her to become an accomplished killer. I was counting on those abilities to carry Perry through the next few days.
Inhaling deeply, Delia appeared to center herself before finally answering my question. “I believe it is the best course of action. Willie has never been my particular cup of tea. To be honest, he wasn’t Malcom’s either. However, there are places for such individuals in our line of work. Willie catered to a certain clientele. Make no mistake, Detective, Willie Slater is an excellent insurance agent. He is extremely skilled and has never failed a client.”
I frowned while parsing out Delia’s true meaning. My stomach fell like a rock. Delia and Malcom were careful with their words. While I wasn’t good at playing their particular word games, I thought I could manage well enough for now. “Someone took out an insurance policy on Perry?”
Delia’s grin grew, allowing a glimpse of pearly white teeth. “Now, that is an interesting notion, Detective. An interesting notion indeed.” Delia took another sip of her drink. “It is something Malcom has been researching. If so, it was done without his knowledge, and as you well know, Malcom Johnson isn’t one to take kindly to that kind of independent thinking. Should that prove the case, you can rest assured that Malcom will purge them from the database. Under Malcom’s watch, Maverick Insurance does not cater to those types of clients.”
“Christ.” I scrubbed my hands over my face. Thinking Willie was after Perry for his own sick pleasure was bad enough. Thinking someone else had hired him was…worse.
“Who would want—”
“It’s best not to speculate.” Delia kicked her feet onto the railing. She had to bend her long legs, but the position looked oddly comfortable, and, as with everything else Delia did, completely poised. “Leave that investigation to Malcom. Trust me, Detective, his resources are far greater than yours when it comes to our particular clientele.”
I gritted my teeth and swallowed my pride and anger. I had to keep reminding myself that this was about Perry, not my ego, and in this case, not exactly the law. That probably made me a hypocrite, but I didn’t care. Keeping Perry safe was all that mattered, and I’d use whatever resources I had to do so.
However, it didn’t escape my notice, or my memory, that Malcom and Delia’s profession was what got Perry into this situation to begin with. It was hard to repress that rage. If I were a decade younger, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do so. That volcanic fury wouldn’t help now. I couldn’t go back in time and bust Malcom’s operation. We were left with the pieces the past had left, and that was what I had to work with now.
I heard the screen door of our cabin squeak open and then slam closed. Perry stepped out onto our porch, sunglasses on and a wide-brimmed hat planted on his head. The extra covering might help with the bright sun.
Before I could shout his name, Perry spotted me and happily waved. His gait going down the couple of steps from the cabin was slightly hitched but so much better than it was before the surgery.
“He truly is a treasure,” Delia said, voice almost reverent. “We won’t lose him, Detective. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
“There you are,” Perry said as he walked up the two steps, stopping between Delia and myself. “Doesn’t look like you got very far exploring.”
“Delia was sitting on her porch, and it looked like a comfy spot to wait out your conversation with Gayle,” I teased. “It didn’t take as long as I thought it might.”
Perry huffed. “I should have texted her as soon as we pulled into the park.” Instead of looking at me, he glanced at Delia. “You know how worried she is.”
“Forgive me,” Delia answered, “but given your history, I believe Gayle has a reason to be concerned.”
Perry’s cheeks flushed. “I know. That’s why I’m kinda irritated with myself that I forgot to contact her. I hate that I made her worry.”
“I’m sure she understands. How are the boys?” Delia asked.
“Good so far.” Perry shuffled to the side, standing across from me and leaning on the railing. Thankfully, it didn’t so much as creak when it took his weight. I considered offering him my chair, but we’d been in the car a few hours, and most likely Perry’s knee was better standing after all the sitting. He’d let me know if it wasn’t.
“So far, they’re just sleeping,” Perry answered. “Most likely that will be their M.O. the entire time. When Nate and I get back, they’ll act like we’ve betrayed them in the worst way possible. But really, they won’t do anything different than usual, and Gayle will make certain their food bowls are full.”
Once again, Delia’s musical laughter filled the air. “Cats are delightful creatures, by far my favorite.”
“You should get one,” Perry said immediately. “Apollo and Starbuck loved it when you came over.”
Delia’s laughter faded into a look of sad contemplation. “I’m afraid I’m not at home enough to care for a pet.”
“Not all cats are as needy as Perry’s,” I said. For some reason, I felt the need to reassure Delia that she could and should get a cat. It was difficult to miss the longing in her tone.
“Hmm, I suppose I could give it some more thought.” I wasn’t sure if Delia was simply placating me or truly planned to consider a pet. Oddly, I hoped she truly was considering it.
“Gayle says hi, by the way,” Perry said. “She was glad to hear you’d arrived safe and sound.”
Light glinted off Delia’s eyes even as her grinning cheeks narrowed them. “That’s terribly sweet of her. I’ll try and give Gayle a call later. She’ll want to hear all about the retreat, and it will give us time to gossip about you, Perry.” Delia shot Perry a mischievous wink.
“God help me,” Perry grumbled, but there was little heat behind it.
“What do you need God’s help with?” Malcom’s deep voice surprised me as he eased around the corner of Delia’s cabin. My pulse raced. This was the problem with the retreat’s location. With all the surrounding sounds, I couldn’t parse out when someone was coming. Anyone could sneak up on Perry and me anytime.
Seemingly unaware of my growing anxiety, Perry chuckled and answered, “Delia and Gayle are gossiping about me.”
“Not just you,” Delia delightedly said. “We talk about your lovely detective as well.”
Perry groaned. “Please tell me that isn’t true.”
Delia leaned her head back and freely laughed while Malcom casually walked around the porch. He didn’t climb the steps. There wasn’t that much room left on the narrow porch to accommodate his body or his ego. Instead, Malcom stood on the other side of the railing, arms folded across the top and heavily leaning.
“I see your dilemma and would have to agree that the Almighty is probably your only hope.” Humor laced Malcom’s voice. The man appeared far more relaxed than I thought the situation warranted.
“Any problems?” I asked, drawing Perry’s concerned gaze.
“What problems?” Perry worriedly questioned.
I shook my head. “Nothing that I know of.” I felt bad for making him concerned. “Delia and I were just discussing that Malcom was out scouting the area. I was simply curious to know if there was anything we needed to be concerned about.” My gaze traveled past Perry, locking on Malcom.
With a slow, lazy grin, Malcom answered, “Nothing that should deter from the purpose of the retreat, Detective Harmon. Nothing at all.”
Fuck . I really wished I knew what to do with that. Malcom appeared inordinately pleased. That should be a relief. It wasn’t. Overconfidence was the Achilles heel in many a failed mission. I didn’t want to consider what Malcom’s overconfidence might cost.
Inhaling deeply, I answered “I certainly hope not, Malcom. I certainly hope not.”