Midnight Secrets

chapter

THIRTY-TWO


Zach ran his fingers through his hair for about the thousandth time in the last two hours. He’d been on the phone all morning. First he’d called Savannah’s boss. The man who had tried to kill Savannah was most definitely a hired gun. Had the X-Kings hired a hit man to find Savannah and exact revenge?

The news of a hit man had gotten Reid Garrison’s attention in a big way. He hadn’t believed the other things that had happened to Savannah, including the fire, had anything to do with the X-Kings, saying that the gang would have been much more direct and brutal if they had wanted to kill Savannah. But hiring a killer to take Savannah out was right up their alley. Reid was now in the process of rounding up the gang members for questioning.

After talking with Savannah’s boss, he’d given the Alabama FBI a call. Having used every avenue he had available to him to identify the shooter and coming up empty, he’d hoped, with their resources, they could help. Turned out they’d helped a lot. The shooter was Bobby Tom Benson, former Walker County resident, wanted in several states for a multitude of crimes, including murder. Apparently he was skilled in various areas but his number one occupation was assassin.

There was no doubt that the bastard had targeted Savannah. Zach had been about fifteen feet from the bedroom when he’d heard Savannah walk out. He’d been about to say something when he’d noticed a shadowy movement ahead of her. Thinking it was one of her sisters, he’d waited. When the shadow had walked into a small pocket of light, he’d realized it was a man. He’d known immediately it wasn’t Brody or Logan. Not only because the guy had been shorter and more slender than either of them, but Zach had managed to catch a glimpse of his face. The deadly intent had been clear. His eyes had briefly met Zach’s before they’d focused solely on Savannah. The gun he’d raised had been pointed directly at her.

The instant Zach learned the shooter’s identity, he’d sent the information to Reid Garrison. Armed with that knowledge, if the X-Kings were responsible, hopefully the DA’s office could link the gang and Benson together.

But what if the X-Kings had nothing to do with this? Savannah still believed it was related to her parents’ murders. If so, why go after her specifically? It made no sense. And if he didn’t figure out the truth, it could well cost Savannah her life.

What she had revealed last night still cut into his mind and heart like a dull, rusty saw, tearing and ripping at him. The guilt in knowing how he had let her and their baby daughter down would be something he’d live with for the rest of his life. He’d never have a chance to make it up to Maggie Rose, but he could and would do everything in his power to make it up to her mother. If she would give him the chance.

After all they’d been through, how ludicrous was it that last night was the first time he’d told her he loved her? And she had said she loved him. They finally had a chance to be together the way he’d always wanted. Damned if some sleazebag, murdering son of a bitch would stop them.

Slamming his fist on his desk, he pulled Benson’s file toward him again. The FBI had faxed all they had, which actually was fairly extensive. Still, it didn’t tell him who had hired him.

It’d been a long shot, but he had even briefly visited with Inez Peebles. When she had informed him of Harlan Mosby’s passing, the elderly woman had hinted that she might know something about Beckett’s and Maggie Wilde’s deaths. He was definitely willing to listen if she had any information. Turned out it had been merely suspicion.

In her garlic-scented words, “I suspected that no-account Mosby of being involved, but nobody paid me no mind.”

Zach didn’t bother to tell her that it was probably a good thing no one had listened to her. Mosby wouldn’t have been above eliminating Inez to protect himself.

The knock on his door was an irritant, but the moment he lifted his head and saw Savannah at the entrance, the distraction was not only welcome but much appreciated.

“Thought we could have lunch together.”

Zach strode toward her and grabbed her for a quick kiss. “Want me to order something from Faye’s?”

“Not necessary.” She held up a small picnic basket. “Let’s go to the park.”

“No, let’s stay here.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want you out in the open until we identify this bastard.”

Figuring she would argue, he was surprised when she smiled instead and said, “Then clear off your desk, mister. I’m about to dazzle you with a picnic you’ll never forget.”

Zach closed the door and locked it. Turning, he gave her grin and said, “This way, we can have dessert, too.”

She dropped the basket on his desk and flew into his arms. “Let’s have dessert first.”

As lunches went, Savannah decided it was the best she’d ever had. An intensely satisfying make-out session had been followed by a delicious lunch prepared by Sabrina, the best cook in the Wilde family. She could definitely get used to this kind of life.

She watched Zach take one last bite of a strawberry, marveling at the peace and happiness she felt. Even though there was some crazed lunatic out there who for some reason wanted her dead, she still felt freer and more content than she had in years.

“Who came with you to the station?”

“Brody dropped me off. I told him I’d call him when I was ready to come home.”

“I can take you home.”

Spending even an extra five minutes with him sounded good to her. “Something came to me yesterday. I wanted to get your take on it.”

“What’s that?”

“The way Kyle looks at me … Could he be the one who asked my granddad if he could adopt me?” She shook her head. “I know that doesn’t mean he killed my parents, but I wondered if that was something we should follow up on, just in case.”

“You make a good point. After I take you home, I’ll go have another chat with him.”

Glad that he had agreed with her assessment, she repacked the basket while Zach straightened the paperwork on his desk. They were walking toward the door when the phone rang. Grimacing an apology, Zach grabbed it up. “Chief Tanner.”

An odd look came across Zach’s face and then he said, “I’ll tell her.” Hanging up the phone, he turned to her with another grimace. “That was Lamont. He called your house and Samantha told him you were here. He wants you to come by his office before you go home.”

“Uh-oh. Did he sound angry?”

“Not angry, more like sad.”

“I hate that we had to hurt him that way.”

“We had no choice.”

“I know.” She picked up the picnic basket and smiled when Zach pulled it out of her hand. “Will you walk me over there? I promise not to stay more than a few minutes. I just feel like I need to apologize to him.”

“I’ll drive you over. No open areas until this f*cker is caught and behind bars.”

Smiling, she caressed his cheek. “I love that you still blush when you say a swearword in front of me.”

Turning even redder, he mumbled, “I don’t blush.”

Laughing, she headed to the door. “Let’s go see Lamont. Then you can take me home and make me blush.”

Holding her hand, Zach kept Savannah a little behind him as he walked out of the police station. His eyes open for anything unusual, he led her to the patrol car and helped her inside. He ran to the other side, got in, and started up the engine.

“I really don’t think anyone’s going to try to take a shot at me in broad daylight.”

“They tried to kill you in the guesthouse in broad daylight.”

She nodded. “Point taken.”

He was about to give her another warning about being careful when the radio squawked. “Chief, you there?”

Zach grabbed the mic. “Yeah, I’m here, Hazel.”

“I’m patching Bart through.”

“Chief.” Bart Odom’s breathless, excited voice came through the radio. “Something odd’s going on over at the Ingrams’.”

“Odd how?”

“Looks like they’re packing up and leaving.”

Shit. Zach shot a look at Savannah, whose eyes reflected his own thoughts. She whispered, “You think they’re skipping out, thinking we’re onto them?”

“I don’t know. But they were told not to leave town.” He spoke into the mic. “Keep an eye on them, Bart. If they leave, follow them but don’t intercept. I’m on my way.”

“Will do,” Bart answered.

Zach checked the rearview mirror and started to make a U-turn.

“Wait.” Savannah touched his arm. “Where are you going?”

“I’m taking you home.”

“But we’re right here at Lamont’s office.”

“I don’t want to leave you unprotected.”

She picked up the small purse she’d dropped on the floorboard and opened it, showing him her handgun. “I am protected. And I’ll call Brody to come pick me up when I’m finished.”

He gave her a searching glance. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Lamont’s feelings are already hurt. I hate to turn down an invitation from him.”

Zach stopped in front of the mayor’s office and got out. Savannah waited for him to open the door for her. Ushering her into the renovated house that had been the mayor’s office for as long as Zach could remember, he called out, “Lamont?”

Noting that the receptionist’s desk was empty, he went to the private office and knocked on the door. It was opened immediately by a pale, sad-looking version of the Lamont he was used to seeing.

He nodded somberly. “Zach. Savannah. Thanks for coming. This won’t take long.”

“I need to leave Savannah here with you for a few minutes. A friend of mine will pick her up. We had some trouble last night at the mansion, so don’t let her out of your sight. Okay?”

If anything, Lamont went paler. “What kind of trouble?”

“I’ll let Savannah explain.”

“Then you run along now. I’ll watch out for her.”

Apparently Savannah had been forgiven, but there had been a definite coolness when Lamont had looked at him. He mentally shrugged. It couldn’t be helped. Making enemies of the mayor might not be a good career move, but Savannah’s safety trumped his career a million to one. Besides, he wouldn’t be police chief once he moved to Nashville.

He looked down at Savannah. “Promise me you won’t walk out of the office without Brody.”

As if she felt bad about Lamont’s cool attitude, she stood on her toes and kissed Zach softly on the mouth. “Cross my heart. See you soon.”

Giving an equally cool nod to Lamont, he took one last glance at Savannah and then walked out the door. The sooner he could interview Noreen and Kyle, the sooner he could be back with Savannah. Now the question was, where the hell were the Ingrams headed in such an all-fired hurry? Could they possibly be Maggie and Beckett Wilde’s killers?

Savannah waited until Zach walked out the door and then turned to Lamont. “You can’t be angry with him. He’s only trying to get to the truth.”

“I know. It was just so embarrassing to have to go through that interview and admit that, especially to Zach. I was hoping never to have to revisit my past sins.” He waved his hand. “Come on in. Nesta made chocolate chip cookies last night and I think this might be her best batch yet.”

Though stuffed from lunch, Savannah knew better than to turn down his offer. Besides, she always had room for chocolate chip cookies.

Sitting in front of his desk, she helped herself to a cookie from the platter Lamont pushed toward her. She bit into the gooey, crispy treat and made appreciative sounds of enjoyment. Poor Lamont seemed so eager to please her, she took another one. He startled her when he suddenly jumped up and said, “Milk. You need milk.”

She watched as he went to a small fridge, pulled out a carton of milk, and poured her a large glass.

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to finish it all, she merely smiled her thanks and took a sip, then said, “Ice-cold milk and chocolate chip cookies. Doesn’t get much better than that.”

“Zach said you had some trouble last night. What happened?”

Hoping to keep it as nondramatic as possible, she said, “Someone broke into the mansion with a gun.”

Horror crossed his face. “Who? Why? What happened?”

She shrugged. “We’re still trying to figure out who and why. Zach had no choice but to shoot him.”

His fingers rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. This new information had obviously distressed him even more. About to reassure him that she was sure they would solve the case soon, she stopped when Lamont sighed heavily and sank deeper into his chair. “I’m going to tell you a story, Savannah. One I never intended to talk about again. But in light of everything that’s gone on, I just don’t feel like I have a choice. This has just gotten so out of hand.”

Not sure where this was going, Savannah settled back into her chair and said cautiously, “Okay.”

“You know I loved your mama and daddy like they were my own family.”

“And they loved you, too.”

“When they were killed, I wanted to die, too. I’d lost my best friend and Nesta lost hers, too. That’s why—”

The door burst open behind Savannah. She jerked around, surprised to see Nesta standing at the door. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Lamont jumped up from his chair. “Nesta, what are you doing here?”

Her expression one of a long-suffering wife, she sighed heavily. “Cleaning up another one of your messes.”

“Nesta, that’s not necessary.”

Looking as prim and proper as always, Nesta pulled a small gun from her pocket and pointed it at Savannah. “I’m afraid it is, dear.”