3. Friendly Conversation

3

FRIENDLY CONVERSATION

J arrett stepped out with Hudson and gave Jack and Andi time to talk.

"What do you think?" Hudson asked him.

"It's most likely she tripped. There was no evidence otherwise."

"I know you noticed the weapon on him," Hudson said. "I didn't need to be notified that he had it when he went through security."

"Yep," he said. "I checked with security and was told he is a US Marshal when he showed ID for the weapon. Which makes sense with how fast he got here. I haven't had a chance to run his name or where he came from. I'm even betting he got a flight over on a state police helicopter too."

"I noticed his stunned face when he found out you were the one that found her and was here questioning things," Hudson said. "It was a good thing you decided to stay."

"Something didn't sit right with me when you talked to him earlier. I'm glad you didn't let him know who it was that found her until he got here."

They both turned when Jack came out of the room. "You can use a room in the back if you want."

"Thanks," Jarrett said. "I'll see what he says. I'm thinking he might not want to leave her side and if that is the case, we need guards."

"Investigator Bond," Jack said, his hand going out. "I didn't know you were the one to find Andi."

"Her lucky day the fish weren't biting," he said. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

"What's there to talk about?" Jack said. "Andi tripped and fell. She's always been a klutz. Even as a kid."

Jarrett leaned in close. "I know you're a US Marshal."

"So?" Jack said. "I'm here as her cousin."

"A few easy phone calls or checks in my computer will tell me where you flew in from. You said Andi has only lived here a few months and has no family."

"A lot of people have a background like that," Jack said, frowning.

"If you're afraid to leave her room, I'll have security come stand outside of it," he said, testing things.

"She's fine," Jack said, sighing. "Where did you want to go and talk?"

The guy gave in too easily, which meant he didn't want the prints run or to raise any suspicions.

"This way," he said, moving down a hall. He pulled his badge out and the security buzzed him in and through another room. "Have a seat."

"Do you think you're going to interrogate me?" Jack asked, laughing.

"This is my island to protect," Jarrett said. "Federal jurisdiction has nothing to do here unless you tell me otherwise. So if I want to ask a few friendly questions, then I'll do that."

Jack lifted his eyebrow. "My cousin lives here. I just realized it when she said it, but she works for someone most likely related to you."

"Who is that?" he asked. "My family owns a lot of things on this island. You'll have to be more specific."

"Is that a threat?" Jack asked looking unimpressed or unbelieving.

"I believe it was a statement and part of this friendly conversation. The fact your back is up is only making me more suspicious." He turned when the door opened and his brother walked in wearing his badge and a jacket with Amore Island Police on it. "Mac Bond, Amore Island Chief of Police, meet Jack Wilson, US Marshal."

"I know who's on my island," Mac said, leaning with his hand forward. "As I'm sure my brother has informed you, we protect what is ours. If there is a reason or a need for you to fly here as quickly as you have, and you want assistance, we can provide it."

There was a time when Jarrett was the more diplomatic of the brothers, but his brother had to deal with more of these situations than him.

"Brothers?" Jack asked.

"We are," Jarrett said. "Is that a problem? I'd think if your cousin was in trouble, you'd like to make sure she was protected or taken care of. Maybe someone to check in and keep an eye on things. Nothing leaves this room."

Jack looked at the two of them. "You do know I can't release anything to you, even if there was something to release. Andi's my cousin and I'm her next of kin."

"And we know you can if you want to. That is your choice," Mac said. "All I care about is if trouble is coming to the island and if I need to keep an eye out for it. When I tell you our resources are extensive, I'm not lying to you. The ferries are owned by Bond family members. Security on the docks is high and monitored. Security in most of the hotels, those owned by Bond members, also have high levels and are easily released to me."

"So you're saying if there was anyone to be on the lookout for, you'd know if they stepped foot on the island?" Jack asked.

"We would," Jarrett said. "Unless they came over on a private boat which rarely happens. By helicopter, they'd have to land at Bond Charter, which is the only strip on the island."

Privateaircraftsdid fly in and out at times but not often.

Jack seemed to weigh his words. "There isn't a problem right now. It's as Andi said. She tripped. She's always been a little klutzy. After her ankle broke, she's careful about it. She wasn't happy being on crutches and not being able to work for weeks."

"You said she worked for a Bond family member?" Mac asked. "Who and where? We can ask her, but we're asking you."

"She's a hairstylist. She rents a chair or whatever it's called from Amanda Bond. She just reminded me of that. I didn't put the names together when you introduced yourself. Is Amanda related to you?"

"Married to a cousin," Jarrett said. Not the same branch and not even that close of a cousin in terms of blood relations, but they were all somewhat close on this island.

"Another in law enforcement?" Jack asked.

"No," he said. "Drew Bond, along with his brother, Bode, and their father, Scott, own a retirement community, real estateandconstruction company."

Good for the island but not great for Mac and him as it was more residents they were responsible for.

"So one of the money Bonds?" Jack asked. "Yes, I did my homework on this island."

Which told him that, yes, Andi wasn't just a cousin. Or more likely, no cousin at all.

"Yes," he said.

"You're saying there was no foul play. Andi is saying the same," Jack said. "I think we are all set here."

Jack stood up and Jarrett knew there wasn't much more they could do.

They let the guy leave and return to see his "cousin" while he and Mac stayed in the room.

"Thoughts?" Mac asked him.

"He's not telling a lot of the truth," he said. "But I understand he isn't obligated to give us much either without us pushing it."

"Nope," Mac said. "Which is why it was best to let it go. If he's not worried, we shouldn't be. But it's better if he knows he can come to us."

"I'll make sure Andi has both of our cards and I'll give them to Jack too when I leave here."

Mac pulled two out of his wallet and handed them over. "Let me know how it goes."

"I'll text you in a bit."

"You're not satisfied, are you?" Mac asked.

"I don't know what I am," he said. Maybe he was just more intrigued once he saw and talked to Andi than he was worried.

"When you figure it out, you know where to find me," Mac said.

The two of them left, Mac turning down another hallway to leave, Jarrett going back to the ER to see Andi before he left.

He popped his head in and noticed Jack wasn't there and it would give him a minute to talk to her alone.

"How's the head?"

"Not as good as this soup," she said. "I don't think there is a drop left and I know it's probably not fresh."

"This late in the day, probably not," he said. "Me, I'm a sucker for my mother's homemade food. Especially her soups this time of year."

"Homemade soup is the best," she said. He could see she had to stop herself from saying more.

"If you need a dentist to take care of your teeth, Amanda's brother-in-law, Coy, has a practice on the island."

"Thanks," she said. "I'll need someone and I hadn't realized that. I don't see Amanda a lot. She only works part time and not normally when I am."

"I'm sure Jack will be in soon."

"He ran to the bathroom," she said. "Hope he didn't give you a hard time. He's been that way since he was a kid."

Jarrett narrowed his eyes at her and she held his stare. She was holding to her story and he couldn't fault her.

What better way to have a US Marshal front and center in her life than by saying it was a relative?

He found that situation odd. People could be assigned new contacts in Witness Protection all the time. There was more to this than anyone was letting on.

He refused to believe they were related and knew it was just their front.

"We had a little chat. I'm sure he's going to fill you in on it."

"He will," she said.

He put his and Mac's cards on the tray. "Mine and my brother's, who is the chief of police. One for both of you. Don't hesitate to call either of us at any time for anything. I mean it."

"So if my cat gets stuck in a tree I can reach out?" she asked.

He laughed, surprised she was so upbeat and friendly with him, and wondered if it was just a front to get him to think nothing was going on.

"That would be my other brother, Alex. Though I don't think he's rescuing too many more cats from trees. Got a dog out from under a deck not that long ago, but that was another cousin."

"Huh?" she asked.

He was talking more than he normally did. "Alex is a captain with the fire department on the island."

"Got it," she said. "Hi, Jack. Investigator Bond?—"

"Jarrett," he said.

"Jarrett was just dropping off his and his brother's cards for us."

"And telling her she could call at any point for anything."

"No rescuing cats in trees though," she said.

"Did you get another cat?" Jack asked.

Funny how her cousin didn't know that information.

"No," she said. "No more. Don't worry. You won't have a sneezing fit tonight when I get out of here. I'm assuming you're staying with me."

"Yep," Jack said. The two men were staring each other down.

If he felt some jealousy over that, he wouldn't let it show. No way the two of them were related, but there was some kind of bond between them he couldn't place.

"Hope you get out of here soon," Jarrett said. "And feel better. Remember what I said. Both of you."

"Thank you," Andi said nicely.

Jack was still staring at him, but he smirked and nodded his head, knowing he had the upper hand on his island.