Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) Read online

Twenty-Three

  “Everyone needs to remain calm,” Judge MacIntosh instructed, his features devoid of panic despite the nervous chatter popping up in the courtroom. At least twenty people were present for sentencing on various items. In other words … it was a full house.

  Mandy licked her lips as she met Sven’s even gaze. He briefly held his hand up to steady her. It was a warning to remain calm. The one thing everyone had going for them was his presence.

  “What are you doing, Jesse?” Mandy asked, keeping her voice low. “What do you think this is going to accomplish?”

  “Perhaps I was just looking for some attention,” Jesse suggested, his eyes flashing. “You’ve spent the better part of two weeks doing the same thing. You should recognize the gesture.”

  “Is that what you think happened?” Mandy asked. She’d been in enough hostage situations to know that talking to a potential killer was her only shot. It was a weird thing to acknowledge, even if only to herself, but there it was. “Do you think I played the drama angle to get James to take my side?”

  “That’s exactly what I think you did,” Jesse replied, nudging Danny away from Mandy’s desk so he could stare her down. “Ever since I met you it’s been nothing but drama. You can’t go to the hotel alone. You have to go to Stonehenge even though it’s a kitschy tourist trap. You have to go to the wax museum. Can’t you do anything by yourself?”

  “We were on vacation,” Mandy replied, refusing to show fear in the face of Jesse’s ire. “It was an anniversary vacation. Did you really expect James to ship me off while he partied with you?”

  “Yes.”

  The answer – and the delusion associated with it – genuinely surprised Mandy. “That’s not how a marriage works, Jesse,” she explained. “I know you think I exert control over James to keep him near me, but that’s honestly not the case.”

  “Oh, whatever,” Jesse said, rolling his eyes. “You’re a complete and total drama queen. You’ve done nothing but whine all week. You’re the reason James turned his back on me. You’re the reason we had to do this.”

  Mandy risked a glance at Sven and found him typing something on his watch. She realized right away what he was doing. He was calling for help. She had to buy time if it was going to work.

  “Tell me about it,” Mandy prodded. “I’m dying to hear how my whining forced James to turn on you.”

  “Well, great,” Jesse spat. “I’m dying to tell you.”

  “WHAT’S that?” James asked, lifting his head as the computer beeped.

  Finn leaned forward and read the incoming message, his face draining of color. “Oh, no.”

  “What?”

  “Jesse is at the courthouse,” Finn replied.

  “Does Sven have him in custody?” James asked, eager to move in that direction so he could face off with Jesse.”

  “No,” Finn said, shaking his head. “Jesse somehow got a deputy’s uniform … and weapon. He’s taken over Judge MacIntosh’s courtroom.”

  “Mandy.” James’ heart rolled. “My baby.”

  “He’s not alone, James,” Finn said. “He has a man and woman with him. Sven is monitoring the situation, but he needs help.”

  “Tell him help is coming,” James snapped. “I know exactly who Jesse has in that courtroom with him. Come on!”

  “WHEN James first introduced me to you, I thought he had to be playing a trick on me,” Jesse said, rubbing the barrel of the gun against his forehead. He acted as if the courtroom was empty save for the two of them, and Mandy preferred his attention to be focused on her. “I mean, well, you’re hot enough. You probably look good without your clothes on. But marriage? James Hardy is not the kind of man who should be locked down by a boring wife.

  “The way he talks about you is hilarious,” he continued. “I swear I can’t help but picture him writing sonnets every time he wants to get in your pants. He can’t stop spouting nonsense whenever your name comes up.”

  “That’s called love, son,” MacIntosh said. “James loves Mandy. He’s loved her for a very long time. I’m sorry you can’t understand that … or grasp it … or even yearn for it. That does not explain what you’re doing in my courtroom.”

  “Well, your honor, I didn’t have a lot of options,” Jesse said. “You see, I need money. I have gambling debts and you wouldn’t believe the interest on them. I’ve been trying to get money from James because it’s more than enough to pay off my debts and set myself up on a sandy beach, but you wouldn’t believe the security he has on his accounts.”

  “That’s because he knows people like you exist,” Mandy challenged. “He knows people will want to steal what they haven’t earned.”

  “Oh, please,” Jesse scoffed. “I work just as hard as James. Heck, I work harder. Did you know your clerk here called in sick yesterday even though she was perfectly fine? I know because I thought I could break into that house while they were at work, but they refused to leave. They were naked on the couch the entire day.”

  Mandy’s heart sank. “You watched us?”

  “I’m not a pervert,” Jesse replied, making a face. “I thought I was going to be able to sneak into the house and get on James’ computer, but you two made that impossible. I’ve had a program burrowing into his bank account for days. That money is going to be mine.”

  Mandy was irked by Jesse’s attitude and voyeurism. “They know about the program and they’ve been watching it,” she said. “You weren’t close to getting anything.”

  Jesse stilled. “No … that’s not true.”

  “It is true,” Mandy countered. “After you approached me in the driveway they started digging. They know about your money troubles.” Mandy had no idea if that was true but she decided to play a hunch. “They know you’re the one who tried to kill me in the parking garage, too.”

  “You left me no choice on that one,” Jesse said. “You shouldn’t have stuck your nose between James and me. If I’d had more room to build up some speed you would’ve flown over the side of the ramp and I’d already be out of here.”

  “And you would’ve killed your supposed friend’s wife and felt nothing?” MacIntosh challenged. “What kind of friend does that make you?”

  “The good kind,” Jesse shot back. “James was a better man when he didn’t have this blond albatross weighing him down. He used to be fun and ready to party at the drop of a hat. He kicked me out of his house this weekend because his wife told him some sob story about her hurt feelings. How messed up is that?”

  “Something here is definitely messed up, but it is not James Hardy’s priorities,” MacIntosh said. “He loves his wife more than anything. He has since the day I met him. He didn’t kick you out of his house because Mandy asked him to do it. He did it because he realized you were never the friend he envisioned you to be.”

  “That’s bullshit,” Jesse snapped. “I’ve been a great friend to him. She’s the one ruining him. She’s the one making his life hell. Look at her. She knows it’s true.”

  Mandy bit her bottom lip as she tried to control her emotions. She wanted to scream and yell at Jesse. She wanted to yank his hair out of his head. She knew he was trying to get a reaction out of her, though, and she refused to play that game.

  “Had you asked James for money, he would’ve helped you,” Mandy said.

  “Yeah, and then he would’ve made me go to some gamblers support group,” Jesse said. “I don’t need that. I don’t want that.”

  “And what about you two?” Mandy asked, shifting her eyes to Becky and Danny. “How do you play into this?”

  “We don’t really want anything to do with this situation, but we have no choice,” Becky replied. “You stole my book.”

  “I … what?” Mandy was confused. “I stole your book? Are you talking to Jesse or me?”

  “You, dumbass,” Becky replied. “We had a meet set up at Stonehenge. That’s why Jesse was there in the first place. He put the stolen identities we needed in a book. Then he met your husband close to
the exhibit and sent us the signal that the book was ready for us to purchase. You bought the book, though.”

  “Oh.” Realization washed over Mandy. The operation was bigger than she initially envisioned. “I … didn’t know.”

  “Where is the book?” Jesse asked. “I’m going to need that before leaving town, too. I’ve been all through your house and the book in your office isn’t the one we’re looking for. We need the second book you bought. I’ve tossed your house from one end to the other but can’t find it. You’re cute when you sleep, by the way. You snore.”

  “You drugged James, didn’t you?” Mandy felt sick to her stomach.

  “I had no choice,” Jesse replied. “I couldn’t risk him waking up and coming to search for me. I’ve been all through your house. I couldn’t get into the safe, but I doubt you would put that book in there. It has no value to anyone other than us.

  “It took me three days, but I finally managed to get up in your studio because that was the only place I couldn’t search and I didn’t find it there,” he continued. “Where is it?”

  “The book was never mine,” Mandy replied. “It was a gift.”

  Jesse stilled. “For who?”

  “Grady.”

  “Son of a … of course,” Jesse growled. “Grady always was something of a ponce. Leave it to him to want a Stonehenge book.”

  “Do you know where he lives?” Becky asked. “We need that book. If we don’t get it we’re all dead.”

  “I can find out where he lives,” Jesse said. “We have to get James’ money first.”

  “And how do you propose to do that?” MacIntosh asked. “We can’t get that money for you. We don’t have access.”

  “No,” Jesse agreed. “James is going to willingly trade it when I threaten to kill his wife, though.”

  Mandy’s heart sank as she pressed her eyes shut. “You can’t do that to him. You can’t hurt him like that.”

  “I would spend a little less time worrying about your husband and a lot more time worrying about yourself,” Jesse hissed. “You’re going to die regardless. That’s one favor I’m willing to do for an old friend.”

  “Don’t even think about touching her,” MacIntosh warned. “I will not let you harm that woman.”

  “You’re in no place to stop me, Gramps,” Jesse replied. “I have the gun … and the power. You’re just a man with a gavel. Give it up. Because, if you don’t, I’m going to kill you, too.”

  “I’M going in there.” James was determined as he faced Grady, Jake, and Finn outside the courtroom. “You can’t talk me out of it.”

  “We’re not going to talk you out of it,” Grady said. “I’m going to go through the back hallway while you keep Jesse focused on you. Sven is in there for backup. Finn is going to stay at this door and rush in if he hears anything. Jake is coming with me.”

  James nodded. “Don’t rush in unless you feel it’s absolutely necessary,” he instructed. “I’m going to try and talk Jesse down from the ledge first. If he starts shooting … .”

  “There are a lot of innocent people in there,” Jake finished.

  “And my wife,” James said. “Just … use your heads. The police are on the way, but we’re going to have to finish it.”

  “That’s exactly how I like it,” Grady said. “Remember, we’re not armed. The only one with a weapon in there is Jesse. If you can disarm him … .”

  “That’s on top of my priority list,” James said.

  “Let’s do this,” Grady said, nodding at Jake. “The faster we end this, the faster James can be whipped again.”

  “I’m definitely going to beat you, Grady,” James muttered, opening the door and then lifting his hands as he moved inside.

  The courtroom wasn’t well lit, which suited James’ needs. The area above the judge’s seat had the most illumination and James didn’t miss the frightened look on Mandy’s face when she caught sight of him. James purposely avoided looking at Sven. Should something happen to him, he didn’t want to tip Jesse off that Mandy had another ally in the courtroom.

  “Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Jesse wailed, groaning when he saw James emerge from the darkness. “Are you here to save your stupid wife?”

  “I’m here to save you both,” James replied evenly, shooting Mandy a reassuring smile before turning his full attention to Jesse. “There’s nowhere to go, Jesse. There’s nothing you can do to get out of this.”

  “How do you think that?” Becky asked, hopping to her feet. “No one knows we’re here.”

  “Then why am I here?” James challenged.

  “Because … you probably came to visit your wife,” Becky said. “We were very careful.”

  “Not careful enough,” James said. “You walked into a county courthouse and took over a courtroom. You couldn’t possibly believe that would end well.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Jesse said, leaning his hip against Mandy’s desk and crossing his arms over his chest. James didn’t miss the fact that Jesse’s gun was pointed in Mandy’s direction. It was a warning. “You came here because you were worried about her. No one else is coming.”

  “I came here because I don’t want this to go badly,” James corrected. “The police are here. Security has been made aware of the situation and locked the building down. You have nowhere to go, and nothing to gain by doing this. You need to surrender.”

  Jesse barked out a hoarse laugh. “Did you just meet me? That really sounds nothing like me.”

  “What are your options here, Jesse?” James asked. “Why did you even come here?”

  “They want the book,” Mandy answered, her voice strong. “They want that Stonehenge book I bought for Grady.”

  “Why?” James was confused.

  “They have stolen identities inside,” Mandy answered. “It’s worth a lot of money to them. Apparently I grabbed the copy Becky wanted and they thought they would be able to steal it back. Jesse has been looking for it in our house, but he came after me when he couldn’t find it.

  “He didn’t realize it was a gift,” she continued. “I’m betting Grady hasn’t even looked at it yet. He probably would’ve found what they’re hiding if he had.”

  James was incredulous. “So you took over a courtroom to get a book?”

  “I took over a courtroom to get your precious wife,” Jesse replied. “I knew she was the only thing that would prompt you to turn over your money. I need it and you can make more.”

  “If you were in trouble you should’ve come to me, Jesse,” James said. “You shouldn’t have gone after my wife.”

  Jesse snorted. “Are you saying you would’ve given me a million bucks?”

  “No,” James replied, opting for honesty. “I would’ve helped you in other ways, though. I would’ve gotten you the help you clearly need.”

  “Yeah, I don’t need help,” Jesse said. “I just need your money. You’re going to give it to me or I’m going to kill your wife.”

  “If you put one hand on my wife I’ll rip your heart out with my bare hands,” James warned, his voice positively dripping with hostility. “I’ll kill you.”

  “There he is,” Jesse crowed. “There’s the James Hardy I know. Of course, all of this crying about a woman is tedious. You’ll get over it when she’s out of your life, though. We might even be able to be friends again once you realize that there’s no reason to mourn something you won’t even miss.”

  “You’re going to want to be very careful right now,” James intoned. “If you threaten my wife … .”

  “You’ll what?” Jesse challenged, brandishing the gun and waving it in front of him. “I’m the one who is armed here. I’m the one who’s going to set you free. You should be thanking me.”

  “I’ll kill you,” James said. “Make no mistake about it. I love that woman more than I’ve ever loved anything in my life. All I want is her. I don’t care about the money. Frankly, I’ve given up caring about you, too. Step away from my wife or you’ll regret it.�
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  “Those are big words for an unarmed guy,” Jesse said, taking a step in James’ direction. “Do you want to duke it out? Maybe we should trade punches. I’ve always wondered if I could beat you.”

  “I think you’re going to keep wondering,” James said, exhaling heavily as he caught sight of Grady pushing open the door next to Mandy’s desk and grabbing her arm. The action was happening behind Jesse. Becky, Danny, and Jesse were all focused on him.

  Mandy silently let Grady pull her away from the desk and shove her into the hallway. James patiently waited until Jake appeared at Grady’s side, and then he made his move.

  “I’m not giving you anything, Jesse,” James said. “You’ve burned your bridges and lost my friendship. You can rot in Hell for all I care.”

  “And what about Mandy?” Jesse asked. “Are you going to stand there and watch me kill her?”

  “No.”

  “I think you need some motivation,” Jesse said, turning back toward Mandy’s desk. His eyes widened when he saw her seat empty and Grady’s fist careening toward her face. “What the … ?”

  Grady punched Jesse hard enough to rock the man backward.

  Jake moved quickly, grabbing Jesse’s wrist and pointing the gun toward the ceiling. It turned out to be a good move because Jesse inadvertently fired a round. It went nowhere, though, and the assembled courthouse visitors screamed and scattered.

  Sven hopped two rows of chairs in the melee before grabbing Danny’s head and slamming it into the lectern, knocking the man out cold.

  “Danny!” Becky was beside herself as she rushed toward her husband, but Sven easily held her off.

  “I don’t generally hit women, but I’ll make an exception in your case,” Sven warned.

  As the last courthouse innocent rushed out of the room, the deputies and security guards swarmed in. Grady held Jesse prone on the ground until he was in handcuffs. James glared at his former friend, willing him to say something to explain his actions. Jesse remained mute, though, and James grew distracted when he heard the side door open and felt Mandy’s presence.

  He shifted his eyes as she raced to him, catching her in mid-air.