Glancing to the side, seeing Leo’s head leaned back and his eyes closed, he pulled his phone from his pocket. Typing and deleting several times, he finally settled on the simplest message.
I’m sorry. We need to talk. Please be careful and stay safe. C
Hitting send, he breathed a little easier and wondered if he’d hear back. Now that that was done, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and turned his mind toward their destination: Tecate.
For two days, Jeannie didn’t leave the house. Normally, that wouldn’t matter, but she missed Maggie. She’d convinced herself that it was fine since Cheryl had come back from her trip and Maggie would have company. But the truth was, she didn’t want Maggie to see her red-rimmed and puffy eyes.
For two days, she’d bounced between anger at Carson’s words and actions, feeling betrayed that he could so easily turn his back on her and sadness at the loss of what they were building. It didn’t matter that they’d known each other for such a short time; when hearts were involved, grief moved into the hole that was left.
Maggie called to tell her that she was going to move back to her condo soon and hoped Jeannie could visit. That was what finally forced her to crawl from bed, shower, and dress. She even forced herself to eat even though food still tasted like cardboard and sat in her stomach like a brick. Then she typed an email to the hospital HR, letting them know when she’d be back. Why not go back? It’s not like I have anything else to look forward to. Her finger hesitated over send, and she closed her computer, deciding to visit Maggie first.
A different guard was in the guardhouse, this one making her come to a stop, checking his list, and eyeing her with suspicion. Eventually waving her on, she was glad that Maggie was going to talk to Cheryl about moving into her own place. The sooner she gets out of here the better!
Greeted by Maggie, they once again kept the conversation light until they went for a walk. Getting Maggie’s cane, Jeannie looped her purse across her body. “How are you really doing?”
“Still a bit woozy, but I think I’m better.” Maggie smiled and said, “I’ve had lovely visits with Cheryl since she got back and told her that I’m ready to move. She hates for me to do that but understands that I need my independence. She was concerned about me still not feeling well and trying to move into my own place, but I told her that I had you to check on me.”
“You know I’d love to do that,” she assured.
“I know you have your job, but perhaps you’ll still have time for me.”
Throwing her arm around Maggie, they continued down the path. “I’ll always have time for you.
“Well, I wish you had time for a relationship.”
She hadn’t told Maggie about Carson and now was glad. Shrugging, she said, “I have my job in the ER and then can spend time with you. That’s all I need.”
Maggie stopped and turned toward her, shaking her head. “So, you’ve decided to go back to the ER?”
She sucked in her lips and nodded. “I think it’s for the best. I suppose I can keep looking for something else, but for now, it’s familiar.”
“You know, my dear, that’s not all you need. Please allow some time to take care of yourself.”
She felt the sting of tears hit the back of her eyes and nodded, uncertain she could trust herself to speak without crying. Clearing her throat, she tried to smile but knew it was tremulous.
Continuing to walk, Maggie chuckled. “That certainly was a big storm the other night.”
Jeannie jerked her head around. “What happened?”
“It seems that lightning struck the gas tank near one of the winery warehouses. Thank goodness, the wine is fine.”
Certain that the lightning was not an act of God but more an act of Carson, she simply nodded. Her phone vibrated in her purse, and not wanting to be bothered, she slipped her hand in and felt around, pressing buttons until the noise stopped. Soon, a different type of buzzing from her purse sounded. Uncertain what she was hearing, she opened the large bag and peered inside. The buzzing wasn’t coming from her phone but from the counter-surveillance equipment Carson had given her and she’d simply left in the large bag. But why is it buzzing now? We aren’t near anything!
Looking around, seeing once again that they were on a path in the middle of the expansive lawn with no bushes or trees or people nearby, she stopped and turned toward Maggie. “I’d like to take a picture if you don’t mind. It’s so pretty out here.”
Maggie grinned, saying, “Oh, I don’t have my lipstick on. But with the gardens in the background, it should be lovely.”
Pulling out the small device, she held it up, hoping Maggie didn’t realize she wasn’t holding her phone. As soon as she did, the lights began to flash, and the buzzing sounded again. Needing to divert Maggie’s attention, she pointed off to the side. “Are those ducks on the pond?” As soon as Maggie turned, she held the device closer, stunned to see it indicated an audio bug in the handle of Maggie’s cane.
The air rushed from her lungs so quickly, she thought she might faint. Sucking in a deep breath, she steadied her breathing as she continued to divert Maggie’s attention. Shoving the device back into her purse, they made their way toward the guesthouse, continuing to chat about nothing of consequence while her mind swirled with all the implications. She thought back to the conversations she and Maggie had had while walking, and while most of them would not cause concern, she knew there’d been times she said something that if one of the Garzas overheard, they’d know someone was looking into them. And that I was privy to that information!
Suddenly, she felt exposed, terrified that she was being watched and listened to. The thought of Carson slammed into her, and she realized he was right. She could’ve tipped off someone to what was happening even though she was doing what he’d said she could do. Oh, my God! He or one of his men could have been injured because of this!
The walk back to the guesthouse seemed an interminably long trip, and as soon as she was able to get Maggie settled, she left. Unable to breathe easily until she arrived back at her apartment, she locked the door. She knew Carson didn’t want to hear from her but owed him an explanation.
She tried calling his cell, but it immediately went to voicemail. Wondering if he would even listen to a message from her, she pulled out the business card he’d given her. Looking at the embossed lettering with the image of a lighthouse, she glided her finger over the words.
Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly before dialing the number.
“Lighthouse Security Investigations - West Coast,” came the pleasant-sounding female voice.
It hadn’t dawned on her that he’d have a receptionist, and suddenly, she wasn’t sure what to say. “Um… I’m a friend… well, is Carson Dyer available?”
“I’m sorry, he’s out of the office today. May I take a message?”
“Yes, please. I mean, no. I’m not sure. I don’t know how this works…” Feeling foolish, she amended, “I’m sorry to sound so baffling. There’s something that I need to let Carson… um, Mr. Dyer know, and I’m uncertain if I should pass it along or speak to him directly.”