Jane slipped her hand around his bicep and leaned in close enough for his chin to brush the top of her hair. Her close contact gave him comfort.
He scrolled slowly enough that they could both read the next email. “Lauren quickly asks for Gail’s help with any information she can get about you and me. She was clearly using her.”
He scrolled down a few more pages. “Let’s see if she mentions the mystery man she’s involved with.”
Jane nodded. Outside the sliding screen door, a Harley roared by and the sound of a Weed Eater droned on. He blocked out the noise and concentrated on the words on his screen.
He kissed the top of her head before he started to read again. “He bought her a house. We should check the deed to her place. Maybe it’s in his name.”
“He’s been very circumspect. I’ll bet it’s in either her name or a shell company.” She reached for her phone and tapped out a text. “I told Augusta to check.”
He didn’t hold any hope for information there either. “What would make someone so paranoid about keeping their relationship secret?”
“He’s married. That’s for sure.”
“But it has to be more than that. He must’ve cared about her because they’ve been together for several years.”
“Or else she’s been useful to him,” Jane said.
“He bought her a house. I think it’s more than that.”
“Maybe his wife is the one with the money, and he’ll be tossed out on his ear without anything if she finds out.”
He nodded. “That works. What else?”
“He’s in some kind of government work. That kind of thing would destroy a political career. Maybe he’s a spy and doesn’t want his cover blown.”
He grinned. “James Bond with white hair.”
She tipped her head to the side and smiled. “You’d make a good Bond. Tall, dark, and handsome.” She reached up to touch his hair. “I can’t wait to see how it looks in another few weeks.”
He rubbed it too. “Hey, it’s a whole half-inch long now. I’m going to need a haircut soon.”
“You and Will look so much alike. I always saw it, but it’s even more obvious now.” Her message alert came, and she picked up her phone. “It’s Augusta. The deed is in Lauren’s fake name.”
“Figures.”
She went back to the screen. “Back to the drawing board.”
They read through more pages of Lauren talking about her wonderful mystery man and her perfect life by a lake in Kentucky. “She’s lying to Gail,” he said. “Her house wasn’t on the water, and it was very modest.”
“Gail says a few things that indicate she’s jealous. Lauren doesn’t seem to see it. She just keeps going on about how much money she has. And it’s all a lie. This might be why Gail thought she could blackmail her.”
They reached the part where Gail began to hit Lauren up for money. She threatened to tell Reid about Lauren’s lover.
Which meant the stakes were very high for the guy. High enough to kill?
* * *
Saturday morning Jane wanted to get out to the island as quickly as possible and confront Gabriel, but first they had to get Olivia and Megan settled. Jane had loaded up on some supplements she wanted Olivia to try too. Once Will was out of jeopardy, she’d research more about Olivia’s condition.
Olivia was on the sofa and looked exhausted. Parker lay at her feet as if to guard her.
“This is all you have?” Jane glanced over the assortment of boxes and suitcases in Reid’s living room.
She’d expected more things, but then again, this wasn’t forever. There was a good chance Olivia would recover. She had to consider the long term and the next few months.
The men Olivia had hired had deposited her meager things, and Jane had tipped them. They departed while Reid was driving Olivia’s car over with the hanging clothes that didn’t fit well in a suitcase.
Olivia nodded. “I have no need for furniture and other things. This is mostly our clothes and the important items from Megan’s room. I found a renter for my place. Our new temp at the office.”
“That’s convenient.”
Megan had already hauled two boxes to the room assigned to her and her mother. After talking it through, they’d all decided it would be best if Olivia had someone with her at night, and Megan wanted to be that person. The room was the master on the first floor so Olivia wouldn’t have to climb any stairs. Reid had offered to bring in two double beds instead of the king, but Megan wanted to sleep beside her mom so she could be closer to her.
Jane didn’t blame her. She’d take that spot in a heartbeat. When she got Will home, she wanted him close.
She’d had Augusta check on him, and she assured Jane he was in a private cell in a wing that held few juveniles. Jane had asked the guards to take special care of him, and they’d even brought him some books to read. He was as comfortable as possible.
Not that there was much comfort in that.
Guards could get distracted. Bad things could happen. Jane had seen most of them. It should be better in juvie though.
Olivia touched her hand. “What were you thinking about? It’s very dark.”
“I’m worried about Will.”
“I’ve been praying for him, and God told me he’ll be all right. This will turn out for his good in some way. Have faith, Jane.”
“I’m trying, but it’s hard.”
“Just keep walking in the dark. God will show up.”
She believed that deep in her heart, but practicing it was hard. “You want to lie down and rest? I can put things away while you do.”
Olivia smiled and shook her head. “It’s a pretty day, and if you’ll help me to the back deck, I’ll soak up some vitamin D.”
“You bet.” Jane helped her out the back door and got her settled in the chaise lounge with a book, though she suspected Olivia would fall asleep.
She went back inside and rolled the turquoise suitcase down the hall to the master where she found Megan hanging up jeans and tees in the large walk-in closet.
The room still held the faint aroma of Reid’s spicy cologne, and it made Jane ache to have him beside her. Without him here, fears crowded in on her.
Megan was pale, and her blue eyes held pain and confusion as she turned to face Jane. “Lots of room here. I feel guilty that Mr. Dixon gave up his room for us.”
“Your mom couldn’t climb the steps, and he was glad to do it. The rooms upstairs are all large, and Will won’t mind sharing the bathroom with his dad.”
“You think he’s coming home?”
“I know he is, honey.”
“This is all so hard.” Megan sat on the bed’s edge and stretched out her long and tanned legs. “Do you think Mom will really get better, or is she trying to make me not worry?” She dipped her head, and her ponytail swung across her cheek.
Jane sat beside her. “I haven’t had time to do a lot of research yet, but she has. She said 70 percent improve.”
“It doesn’t seem right. Where is God right now? Mom loves him, but I hate him right now.”
“I know how you feel. I’ve spent my whole adult life pursuing justice only to find out it’s failed me when I need it most. Reid reminded me that’s what faith is all about though. We keep walking the right direction in spite of not being able to see the path. So that’s what I’m trying to do. I remind myself that God loves your mom, and he loves Will even more than we do. Just like Reid said—this isn’t over yet.”