Deadly Payback (Hardy Brothers Security Book 22) Read online

  “Baby, it’s okay to laugh,” James said, smoothing down her hair. She’d let it air dry so it was curlier than usually. James actually liked the tousled waves. They made him think of a day at the beach. “You can’t stop living.”

  “I can’t start laughing yet either,” Mandy said. “It’s not right.”

  “Says who?”

  “Me.”

  “Okay,” James said, refusing to argue. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I love you, my baby. I’ll be upstairs in thirty minutes. That should give you plenty of time to talk to the judge. I’m going to guess his courtroom is not in session this week.”

  “I didn’t even think of that,” Mandy said, rolling her neck until it cracked. “I’m going to want to see the courtroom one more time. I’ll wait until you come up for that, though. I … is that okay?”

  “Anything you want is okay,” James said, his expression earnest. “When we’re done here, I’m going to take you anywhere you want for lunch. Before you decide to argue, you need as much food as possible because you haven’t been eating. I’m willing to splurge. The sky is the limit.

  “I want someplace dark and quiet.”

  “How about that hole-in-the-wall Mexican place around the corner?” James suggested. “We’ve had a ton of romantic lunches there.”

  “No.” Mandy shook her head. “Heidi and I never went there together. I want to go someplace we liked. I … it’s important.”

  “Okay,” James said. “Give it some thought and I will go anywhere you want. As long as you eat, I’m happy.”

  “What if I want that seafood place that has the expensive lobster?” Mandy challenged. “Heidi and I ate there once just to say we had lobster at lunch. We laughed the whole time and she didn’t stop bragging about it for a week.”

  “I think that’s exactly where we’re going,” James replied, not missing a beat. “We’ll have lobster in her honor.”

  Mandy forced a smile. “And crab legs.”

  James’ smile was genuine when he locked gazes with her. “And crab legs.”

  “I love you.” Mandy instinctively leaned forward and threw her arms around James’ neck. He rubbed her back as he returned the embrace, brushing his lips against her neck as he tried to offer her comfort that fell short of what she needed.

  “I love you more, baby. I’ll be upstairs in thirty minutes. Call if you need me. Promise.”

  “I promise.”

  “Then go,” James said, offering her a sweet kiss before pulling away. “This is the first day of the rest of our lives. It’s not exactly how I envisioned it, but it’s still a big deal. Let’s put this chapter behind us.”

  “That’s honestly all I want to do right now.”

  MANDY ignored all of the pointed stares as she walked through the lobby. She could feel every set of eyes on her as she shuffled toward the elevator, even hearing a few of the muted whispers, but she remained focused on her task. By the time she got to Judge MacIntosh’s office, she was a bundle of nerves.

  She tentatively knocked, even though the door was open. The judge was dressed simply in jeans and a button-down shirt, his robe hanging on a hook on the open door to the back closet, and when he realized who was at his door he hopped to his feet.

  “Come in, sweetheart,” he said, his eyes kind as they locked with hers. “You don’t have to knock.”

  “I do have to knock,” Mandy countered, forcing a watery smile for her boss’s benefit. “That’s polite … and respectful.”

  “We’re far beyond that,” MacIntosh said, skirting around the edge of his desk and opening his arms to give Mandy a hug.

  Despite the fact that her emotions were raw, Mandy managed to hold off from crying as she returned the hug. MacIntosh directed her into one of the wingback chairs across from his desk, and instead of returning to his chair, he settled in the other.

  “How are you doing?”

  “It’s been a rough few days,” Mandy said, clasping her hands in her lap and twisting them. “I saw you at the funeral but didn’t get a chance to talk to you.”

  “Yes, I saw what happened,” MacIntosh said. “I don’t pretend to understand what was going through Clint’s mind, but grief makes people do strange things. You should know that he’s taken a leave of absence.”

  The news surprised Mandy. She thought Clint would want to return to work as soon as possible to get his mind off things. “For how long?”

  “Indefinitely.”

  “Did he say why?”

  “I didn’t speak to him myself, although I have been tempted to visit him,” MacIntosh replied. “I’m not sure why he decided to step away from his job. My guess is that it’s simply too hard for him to walk into the building given what happened on the front walkway.”

  “I never considered that,” Mandy said, rubbing the back of her neck. “I guess I can’t blame him. I hope it’s not because of me, though. I couldn’t stand that.”

  “Clint is going through a terrible ordeal and none of us can pretend to understand what his state of mind is,” MacIntosh said. “You cannot blame yourself for what has happened. No matter what, this wasn’t your fault.”

  “Unless it was.”

  “No, there is simply no way any of this was your fault. Period.”

  “I know you feel as if you have to say that to me because you think I’m fragile and need it, but I would rather hear the truth,” Mandy said. “James and I had a big blowup about him trying to protect me. You can’t protect me from the truth.”

  “I’m not trying to protect you,” MacIntosh argued. “I’m well aware of your strength. Even if someone decided to target you, though, you’re not to blame for this. You didn’t ask for it. You didn’t actively work for this to happen.”

  “I don’t know what to think,” Mandy admitted, leaning back in the chair and staring at the tiles in her boss’s drop ceiling. “I can’t help but wonder if Heidi would still be alive if I did what James wanted and quit months ago. I think her blood is on my hands.”

  “And I think you’re mourning and it’s easier to blame yourself than focus your anger on someone else,” MacIntosh offered. “Eventually you will move the blame to the appropriate person. You just need time to process.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I’m always right,” MacIntosh said, his eyes twinkling. “I’m a judge. It’s impossible for me to be wrong.”

  “I didn’t take that into account,” Mandy said, rubbing her cheek. The time was here and she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. “I came here for a specific reason today.”

  “I know you did,” MacIntosh said, his eyes filled with kindness rather than recrimination. “I didn’t expect you to turn in your resignation until after the weekend, but today is good, too.”

  Mandy stilled, dumfounded. “Did James call you from the parking garage? I’m going to kill him.”

  MacIntosh chuckled, the sound taking both of them by surprise. “James did not call me. I was surprised to see you alone, if you want to know the truth, but if he’s giving you a chance to do things on your own before stepping in to help, I applaud him. I figured it out on my own, Mandy.

  “The truth is, I knew you wouldn’t come back the moment it happened,” he continued. “It’s too much. It’s too much for all of us. You have the option of stepping away, though. You should definitely take it.”

  “I still feel guilty,” Mandy said. “I’m leaving you in the lurch. Now you’re going to be down a clerk and stenographer. How are you going to manage that?”

  “With temps,” MacIntosh replied, not missing a beat.

  “You’re going to need a real staff at some point.”

  “No, I’m not,” MacIntosh said. “You see, I’m leaving, too.”

  Mandy’s heart stuttered. “I … no. You can’t. This job is too important to you.”

  “I don’t want you to think this job isn’t important to me, or that I haven’t loved it throughout the years,” MacIntosh said, choosing his
words carefully. “I made my decision not to run for reelection months ago, though. Your decision … and Heidi’s death … did not influence that. I was going to tell you, but I was waiting for the right time. I didn’t want you to worry that your decision to leave affected my decision to stay.”

  For some reason, and Mandy wasn’t sure she’d ever understand why, the judge’s admission made her feel better. He wasn’t blasé about her departure. He was merely looking forward to his own retirement. “You should’ve told me.”

  “No offense, but I didn’t want the news getting out before August,” MacIntosh said. “I love you dearly, but you and Heidi liked to gossip. I want to make an announcement before the filing deadline.”

  “I guess that makes sense,” Mandy said, sighing. “I’m going to miss you, though.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that,” MacIntosh said. “We’re family. We’ll see each other on a regular basis. I expect to be invited to a few of the infamous Hardy barbecues from time to time. I’m retiring, not dying.”

  Mandy pursed her lips. “I … .”

  “Don’t cry, my dear,” MacIntosh said, the sight of her tears causing his eyes to water. “I want so much for you to be happy.”

  “I’m working on it,” Mandy said, surreptitiously swiping at her cheeks. “It’s going to take a little time … especially now.”

  “I understand that,” MacIntosh said. “It will happen for you, though. I have faith. I’ve always had faith in you.”

  “Here.” Mandy handed the judge a sheet of paper. It was her resignation letter, which she’d been working on for months in her home office. She hastily printed it out and signed it before leaving the house. “I’m sorry to leave you in the lurch for the rest of your tenure, but I can’t stay.”

  “I don’t blame you,” MacIntosh said. “Don’t worry about it. I will not be taking on any cases of my own before my retirement. I’ve already talked with the other judges. I will sit in when they have vacation or sick days, but other than that, my sole job will be closing up shop and making room for a new judge.”

  “Whoever it is, they’ll never be as good as you.”

  “Thank you, but that’s completely unnecessary,” MacIntosh said, mustering a legitimate grin. “New minds breathe fresh life into old ideas. That’s what this place needs now.”

  “I’m always going to be thankful for what you’ve done for me,” Mandy said. “You gave me a chance fresh out of college. Most people wouldn’t have done that.”

  “Probably not,” MacIntosh conceded. “I saw greatness in you, though. I still see it. You’ve just opted for a different path. I want it to be a happy path, Mandy.”

  “I do, too,” Mandy said. “I don’t suppose … since you’re not working, I mean … James is taking me to the seafood place downtown and splurging on lobster. Heidi loved that place the day we went.”

  “I remember that day well.”

  “Do you want to come with us?”

  “I would love to come with you,” MacIntosh said. “I have a bit of work to finish up here first, though.”

  “That’s fine,” Mandy said hurriedly, pushing herself to her feet. “I have to pack up my office. It will take a bit of time.”

  “I’ll come down as soon as I’m finished,” MacIntosh said. “There are boxes in that storage closet at the end of the hallway you can use to pack.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you,” MacIntosh countered. “It has been my great pleasure to watch you grow and blossom. Now it will be my absolute delight to watch you soar. You’ll find your footing again, Mandy. It’s just going to take a little time.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I know I’m right.”

  10

  Ten

  Since Finn and Jake were just getting into the thick of their search, James didn’t need nearly as long as he envisioned to get caught up on things. He busied himself listening to the afternoon news on the radio, the coverage still revolving around Heidi’s shooting as the sheriff’s department refused to hold a press conference and the reporters became increasingly desperate to come up with story angles.

  James waited until exactly thirty minutes had passed – not one second longer – and locked up his Explorer before heading into the building. He noticed a few people staring at him, their heads bent together as they whispered. He was convinced Mandy’s unexpected visit was the talk of the courthouse gossip mill. He ignored the looks as he hit the elevator and only let a scowl take over when he was certain no one was looking. The last thing he needed was people staring at Mandy as if she was a zoo exhibit. That wasn’t going to help anything.

  James headed straight for Mandy’s office, pulling up short when he found the door closed. He knocked first, trying the handle when he didn’t receive an answer. The mail piled in the door folder told him she hadn’t stopped by her office yet. That probably meant she was still with the judge. That was hardly surprising, so James turned in that direction.

  He had every intention of patiently waiting outside the office until she was done talking to MacIntosh, but to his surprise he found the judge’s office door open. He tilted his head to the side as he listened for the sound of his wife’s voice, but all he heard was fingers tapping on a keyboard so he poked his head inside.

  James cleared his throat to get the judge’s attention, earning a smile for his effort. “I’m sorry to interrupt you.”

  “You’re never an interruption,” MacIntosh said. “I knew you were in the building, so I’m happy you stopped by. Although, Mandy invited me to lunch with you so we’ll have a chance to chat then. I just wanted to make you aware. If you would rather it just be the two of you, tell me now and I’ll come up with an excuse.”

  “I think it would be great if you joined us,” James said. “You loved Heidi, too. You knew Heidi a lot better than I did. I sometimes find I don’t know what to say because I didn’t know her that well.”

  “She was a wonderful woman.”

  “Well, I knew that,” James said, grinning. “I don’t suppose you know where my wife went, do you?”

  “She’s in her office.”

  “No, her office is locked and the mail is still in the slot,” James said. “She hasn’t been there yet.”

  “Ah, well, she left here about twenty minutes ago,” the judge said, standing. “She’s probably still in the storage room. I told her she could collect boxes there. For all we know someone stopped her in the hallway and is talking her ear off. Most of the people here are good when it comes to restraint, but that doesn’t go for everyone.”

  “If you just point me in the direction of the closet, I can find it,” James said. “I’m not sure how long it’s going to take her to pack up. She said she wanted to see the courtroom one more time.”

  “I could use an excuse to stretch my legs,” MacIntosh said, walking toward James. “I have a lot to do myself. I’m looking forward to lunch, though.”

  “Well, then order big,” James said, falling into step with the older man as they hit the hallway. “Mandy hasn’t eaten much since Heidi died and I need to get some food in her. She made a dent in her breakfast this morning, but it was nowhere near what she would normally eat.”

  “Well, I happen to love lobster,” MacIntosh said. “I don’t think you need to worry about that. The closet is in this direction.”

  The men fell into amiable silence as they traversed the length of the floor. It was only when they neared the storage room door that MacIntosh spoke again.

  “You should know that I’m not running for reelection,” he said. “I told Mandy already. The decision was not based on her departure or Heidi’s death. It’s been planned for a bit. She almost seemed … relieved.”

  “She’s been struggling,” James said, pausing outside the door. “It’s not Heidi’s death. That just added to it. She was bothered thinking you didn’t need her. She would be mortified to know I told you that, by the way.”

  “She’s funny,” Ma
cIntosh said, shaking his head. “I would’ve been totally bothered by her leaving – or at least sad for myself – if I intended to stay. I should’ve told her the truth from the beginning. I didn’t want it to get out before I was ready to announce it, though.”

  “That’s totally understandable.”

  “Now I’m definitely eating lobster,” MacIntosh said, reaching for the door handle. “Dealing with women makes me work up an appetite.”

  “I hear that.”

  MacIntosh pushed open the door, revealing a stack of three boxes in the center of the floor on the other side. “She’s clearly in here.”

  “Baby? Do you need help?” James leaned to his left so he could stare down the aisle between the high shelves. “Where are you?”

  When she didn’t answer, James moved over another aisle and stared. She wasn’t there either.

  “Perhaps she went to another room to collect something,” MacIntosh suggested. “Although, I have no idea what that would be.”

  James caught sight of something on the floor halfway down the aisle and he strode toward it. He bent over to pick it up, frowning when he realized it was Mandy’s purse. The top was open – as if someone was rummaging around inside – and a few of the contents were scattered about the floor. “She wouldn’t leave this.”

  “No, certainly not,” MacIntosh said. “Perhaps she ran to the restroom.”

  “Why would she leave her purse?”

  “Maybe she got sick to her stomach,” MacIntosh suggested. “You said yourself she hasn’t been eating. Maybe her stomach couldn’t take whatever you forced down her this morning.”

  “That doesn’t explain the purse being on the floor like this,” James argued, his heart constricting as he straightened. A terrible possibility plagued him, and he couldn’t tamp down the worry no matter how hard he tried. “Can you lock down this building?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do it.”

  “But … why?”

  “Because I have a really bad feeling about this,” James said, his voice cracking. “Do it right now. I … do it. We need help to search the building and the garage, too. I don’t want anyone leaving here until I find my wife.”