Ivy Morgan Mystery 18 - Wicked Wedding Page 4

  She nodded.

  “Then we can have pizza.” He rested his hand on top of her head and fought the urge to hug her yet again. It was time to be professional. “Ivy brought up a good point.” He focused on Brian. “How did Oliver Taylor find this place? It’s supposed to be a secret.”

  “I don’t know.” Brian looked to Serena. “None of your workers would say anything, would they?”

  “Absolutely not.” Serena was vehement as she shook her head. “My workers would never put anyone at risk. That’s not who they are. Everyone here is dedicated to the cause. They would die for these women and children.”

  “Then he had to find out through some other means,” Jack said. “What about Dana? Is it possible she told her husband where to find her? I know it seems unlikely given what happened, but stranger things have occurred.”

  “It wasn’t Dana,” Serena countered. “I’m sure of it. Besides, we don’t allow the residents to keep phones on them for that exact reason. They’re searched upon entry.”

  “What about the kid?” Jack didn’t like suggesting it, but he had no choice. “Could she have called her father?”

  “No.” Ivy was the one who responded this time. “She’s terrified of her father. She’s also mildly disassociated from him. She wants nothing to do with him. She’s bonded to her mother and wouldn’t put either of them at risk.”

  “I agree with Ivy,” Serena supplied. “I don’t think they’re responsible.”

  “Then who?” Jack wanted answers. “That guy didn’t just luck into finding this place. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”

  “What about the movers?” Brian queried. “I mean ... they signed non-disclosure agreements. It’s possible one of them talked, though.”

  Serena looked taken aback. “I hadn’t considered it, but I guess it’s possible. How do we find out if they’re responsible, though?”

  “I’ll head over there when we’re done here,” Brian replied. “I know the owner. I guarantee Fred isn’t the one who did this. His workers are another story. I’m not familiar with all of them. It’s possible one of them was friends with Oliver. We’re going to need to dig to find answers.”

  “Until then, I think we need to keep uniformed officers out here,” Jack suggested.

  “Oh, but that might upset the residents,” Serena protested.

  “It will also make them feel safe.” Jack was insistent. “We won’t let them inside the building. They’ll be stationed outside. In fact, we can move the mobile command center out here so they can make their own food and have access to bathroom facilities.”

  Serena furrowed her brow. “What’s the mobile command center?”

  “It’s basically a camper,” Brian replied. “It’s a good idea. We won’t park it right next to the building. There’s an electrical pole about a half-mile that way.” Brian pointed. “They can park there and plug in and then walk through the woods for regular patrols. It won’t draw attention to this building because they’ll be parked on the access road over yonder.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad,” Serena hedged. “The women will still see them, though.”

  “There’s nothing I can do about that.” Brian refused to back down. “The most important thing to do is to keep these women safe, right? They’ll feel safe with armed police officers outside the building. That’s the best I can do.”

  “I guess.” Serena forced a smile. “It’s not what I wanted for them but you’re right. We have to keep them safe.”

  “We also need to get someone out here to fix this door,” Jack noted. “It has to be someone we trust.”

  “Max,” Ivy volunteered automatically. “He can fix this door and I know he would want to help. He won’t say anything either. I mean ... he’s kind of familiar with the drill thanks to Amy.”

  Max Morgan, Ivy’s brother, owned a local lumberyard. He was handy, driven, and loyal. His girlfriend Amy survived an abusive relationship and Max had grown to understand her needs over the past few months. He wouldn’t bother the women or frighten them for that matter.

  “That’s a good idea.” Brian shot her a thumbs-up. “I’ll arrange for the mobile command center. Ivy, you call Max and tell him to get out here. Explain what needs to be done. He can bring the supplies and the department will reimburse him.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine.” Ivy dug for her phone and sent Serena a rueful smile. “I know this isn’t what you wanted, but we’ll figure things out and make sure this is a safe building, just like what you wanted. I promise.”

  “I believe you,” Serena reassured her. “It’s simply been a trying day. I’m not used to this much excitement.”

  “And hopefully you won’t have to get used to it.” Jack rested his hand on Ivy’s shoulder to get her attention and flicked his eyes toward the door.

  Before Ivy could call Max, she realized she had one other thing to deal with. Jenny, her eyes red and puffy, reappeared in the hallway. “Are you okay?” Ivy asked, legitimately concerned.

  “I’m okay.” Jenny’s voice cracked. “I was more worried about my mom, but she says a doctor is coming.”

  “A doctor is coming,” Brian promised. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  Jenny gave him a leery look and then turned back to Ivy. “I need to thank you. I didn’t before.”

  Ivy’s first instinct was to wave off the gratitude. “It’s okay. You don’t have to thank me.”

  “No, I need to.” Jenny was insistent. “You saved my life. I don’t think I ever would’ve seen my mom again if it wasn’t for you. I just want you to know that ... um ... thank you.”

  Ivy found herself suddenly choked up. “You’re welcome. I was happy to do it.”

  “Will I see you again?”

  “I will be donating my time here on and off. We’ll definitely see each other. Maybe we can do some crafts together or something.”

  “Okay.” Jenny impulsively leaned closer and hugged Ivy. “I know you were joking about being a hero earlier, but you’re definitely mine.”

  The tears Ivy thought she had successfully tamped down roared back with a vengeance. “I ... um ....”

  “It’s okay.” Jenny swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “You don’t have to say anything. I’ll see you soon, but I have to get back to my mom.”

  “Yeah.” Ivy turned away from Serena and Brian so they wouldn’t see her tears, but she couldn’t hide from Jack.

  “You’re my hero, too,” he whispered as he kissed her cheek. “Your reward is still on for later, and I’m not talking about pizza.”

  Ivy managed a smile, although it was difficult. “That’s going to be the highlight of my evening.”

  “Oh, you have no idea.”

  4

  FOUR

  The search for Oliver Taylor went until well after the end of shift. They got nowhere, though, and Jack was exhausted when he returned home. It wasn’t until he was in the driveway that he realized he should’ve picked up dinner, as he’d promised. They would probably have to order pizza after the fact, but he was too tired to leave again so he resigned himself to having to wait, even though he was starving.

  When he walked through the front door, he was hit with a wall of scents that instantly had drool pooling in his mouth.

  “What’s all this?” he asked as he shuffled into the kitchen, his eyes roaming the table — which was lit with romantic candles — as his fiancée toiled over the stove.

  Ivy turned and shot him a warm smile. “You’re right on time. I made you dinner.”

  “I see that.” He moved closer to the stove so he could see what she was making. “I forgot the pizza.”

  “I figured you might.”

  “Pasta, huh?”

  “I have a steak for you to grill, too. I bought a nice one. At least I think.” Her forehead wrinkled. She was a vegetarian, so she wasn’t always the best when it came to picking out steaks for her future husband. “I asked the guy behind the counter and he said it was a good cut.”
>
  “Whatever you picked is fine.” Jack planted a kiss on her lips but didn’t pull away. “Is this your way of making sure you don’t get in trouble?”

  Ivy was suddenly the picture of innocence. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  His smirk was pronounced. “Oh, don’t do that. We’re going to fight and you know it.”

  “But I’m a hero.”

  He didn’t want to smile — that would only encourage her after all — but he couldn’t help himself. “You are. You’re my hero.”

  “You can’t yell at a hero.” Ivy poked her bottom lip out. “Can we please not fight?”

  “Sure.”

  His answer was too easy and Ivy was instantly suspicious. “You’re up to something.”

  “Such a trusting soul,” he teased, poking her side before moving to the refrigerator.

  “Why am I suddenly not in trouble?”

  “Because you’re going to acknowledge that going after Oliver was a bad idea and I’m going to agree that you felt you had no choice. Then we’re both going to be thankful that you’re such a badass that you managed to take him on without any backup and leave it at that.”

  “That sounds very reasonable of us.”

  “It does.”

  She was silent a beat and squeezed his fingers. “I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just couldn’t let him leave with that girl. I saw the reports when they were admitted and I simply couldn’t bear the thought of him taking her. He would’ve tortured her, Jack.”

  “I know.” He’d read the reports when back at the office, too. “I don’t want to say you did the right thing but ....”

  Now it was her turn to smirk. “I did the right thing.”

  “Let’s just say it all turned out okay and leave it at that, huh?” He retrieved the steak she had marinating in the refrigerator and grinned. “This looks really good. You got a porterhouse.”

  “So, I did good?”

  “You did good. In fact,” He placed the bowl on the counter and swept her toward him, pressing her close. “I love you.” Before she could answer, he pressed his lips to hers in a torrid kiss.

  She was breathless when she pulled back. “What was that for?”

  “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “I know.”

  He laughed. “Aren’t you supposed to say that I’m the best thing that ever happened to you?”

  “I thought that was a given.”

  “It’s still nice to hear.”

  “Well, in that case, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to any woman ever. You’re handsome ... and strong ... and have a wonderful personality. You’re loyal and true on top of everything else, and you’re my best friend.”

  His heart pinched at her earnest expression. “I think you just wrote your vows. The only thing you left out is how I’m a stallion in bed.”

  “I can’t say that publicly. Maisie and Ava will start chasing you again if I do and I don’t want to constantly carry a stick to beat them off.”

  “We’ll just keep it between us.” He gave her a soft kiss and then released her. “I guess I should get this on the grill. Do you have one of those soy patties you want me to put on, too?”

  “I’m good. I’m just having the pasta. Thank you, though.”

  “So polite.” He grinned as he removed the wrap from the bowl. “I have some stuff to tell you on the search, but I’m going to wait until we can sit together and relax.”

  “That’s fine. I figured you would’ve called if you’d actually caught him.”

  “I would have.” He started for the sliding glass door. “By the way, I got another call today ... from the judge.”

  Ivy’s heart plummeted. “My judge?”

  “Yup.”

  She swallowed hard. “He heard what happened at the shelter, didn’t he?”

  “He did. Everybody is talking about it.”

  “Did he add more time to my sentence?”

  Jack stilled. “Why would he do that?”

  “Because I broke the law or something when I chased Oliver. I don’t know. I still don’t technically think I did anything wrong in the first place. Obviously, I’m bad when it comes to this stuff.”

  He had to laugh. She gave him no choice. “You’re not getting any more time added to your sentence. In fact, given what happened today, the judge thinks you’ve served enough time. He’s submitting documents tomorrow. Your community service is over. Not only that, he’s putting a notation in your file that you served with distinction ... and recommending that your record be expunged in six months.”

  Ivy’s mouth dropped open. “I ... what exactly does that mean?”

  “It means that if you can stay out of trouble for six months, you won’t have a record.”

  “But ... how?”

  “Nobody wanted you to have to go through this,” he noted, his expression soft. “Everyone — and that includes the judge — thought you got a raw deal. Unfortunately, it was necessary.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “In six months, the trial will be over. You shouldn’t have to suffer for doing the right thing and saving Maisie.”

  “Wow.” Ivy didn’t know what to say. “It’s like a wedding miracle.”

  “No, you’re the wedding miracle. You’re my miracle.”

  “You’re my miracle, too.”

  “Good, because I think your miracle deserves a special dream trip this evening.” His eyes sparkled. “I figured, since the wedding is so close, we could dream walk tonight and then hold off again until after we’re married. We’ll make it special.”

  “Do I get to be the hero in our dreams?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I agree to your suggestion. Where do you want to go?”

  “It’s the hero’s choice. I’m going to cook this steak, though, and then we’re going to catch up on a search that went basically nowhere. After that, we’re going to take a bath and then climb into dreamland together.”

  “That sounds like a perfect evening.”

  “It really does.” He tugged on the door and then paused. “Thank you for all of this, by the way. It means a lot. I was kicking myself for not picking up dinner, but then I came home to this. It’s ... amazing.”

  “It’s just pasta.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s exactly what I needed.”

  The emotion in his eyes had Ivy going soft all over. “I made sure to keep the morels separate when I got them out of the freezer. They’ll only be in my pasta.”

  His grin was lighting quick. “Good. I don’t want my dinner tasting like feet.”

  “You need to get over it.”

  “Just as soon as you stop giving me a heart attack with your bravery.”

  “What if that never happens?”

  “Then we’ll both have to learn to live with it.”

  “I guess I can do that.”

  “Me, too.”

  IVY DRIFTED OFF BEFORE JACK. That wasn’t unheard of. He usually stood as her protector, opting to stand watch until she was happily ensconced in sleep. Unfortunately, when she landed, it wasn’t in their agreed upon beach location.

  “What the ...?” Bewildered, she scanned the house she found herself in. It was small, the furniture a bit worse for wear, but it was immaculate. “Where am I?” All she could think was that Jack had somehow slipped into a nightmare and brought her along for the ride. With that in mind, she called out his name. He didn’t respond.

  “Jack?” She tried again as she moved into the hallway. She felt like a trespasser in someone else’s house even though she knew it was only a dream. She was about to leave — figuring that she could redirect the dream someplace else if she could get outside and concentrate — when she heard a small whimpering noise. Taken aback, she jerked her head left and right looking for the source.

  She found Jenny under the sofa table in the living room, curled into a small ball. The girl’s face was streaked with tears and she had a hand over h
er mouth to keep the noise level low.

  “What are you doing here?” Ivy blurted out, confused. She had no idea why the dream had taken such a turn.

  Jenny’s eyes went wide when she saw Ivy and her hand fell away. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was about to ask you the same question.” Ivy’s confusion grew in leaps and bounds. “I don’t understand why you’re here. Is this your dream?”

  “It’s not a dream.” Jenny’s voice was barely a whisper. “He got me. I knew he would. I told Mom we shouldn’t run because it would only make him really mad. She said we had to, though. Otherwise he would kill us.”

  “But ....” Ivy wet her lips and looked around again. “Where is your father?”

  “I don’t know. When I woke up back in the house, I knew I had to hide. He’s going to kill me this time.”

  Ivy felt sick to her stomach, but she refused to crumble in front of the girl. “He won’t kill you.”

  “He will. He told me he would if I ever tried to leave.”

  “I won’t let him kill you,” Ivy promised. “He only has power if you give it to him.”

  “He hurts me.”

  “I won’t let him do it again.” Ivy hunkered down so she was on an even level with the girl. She couldn’t be certain, but she had a good idea what was happening. Instead of being drawn into a dream with Jack, which she was open to, she’d been called to Jenny’s dream. She’d bonded with the girl earlier, so it made sense in a weird way. “I swear that he won’t ever touch you again. I’ll kill him if he tries.” Even as she uttered the threat, it made her distinctly uncomfortable. She didn’t want to be the sort of person who threatened another person’s life — that’s not who she was — but she also wanted Jenny to feel safe. If the girl was dreaming, she would remember this interaction. “You’re protected now. There are people patrolling the woods outside the building to make sure you’re safe.”

  Jenny was understandably dubious. “I always say I’m going to be safe. I always hide. Do you know what happens, though? He always finds me. He’s going to find me again this time.”

  “He won’t. You need to have faith.”

  Jenny worked her jaw and then leaned forward. “Sometimes I pray for him not to find me. A couple of times he’s found my mother instead because she tries to protect me. Then she gets hurt. And do you know what? I’m still glad he didn’t find me even when she gets hurt.”