Chapter Twenty-Two

I’ll be outside in five minutes. Solomon’s text message flashed on my screen.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” I said, rising from the chair in Garrett’s office. My half-drunk cup of coffee was left on the desk, abandoned. Garrett was on the phone and he hung up when I rose. For the past several minutes, I’d been contemplating calling Maddox and finally ruled it out. Garrett was right. The woman was just a face and the jewels were all there, secure in the evidence locker. It had been a long day.

“You got a ride?” asked Garrett.

“Solomon’s picking me up.”

“Hey, Rachenstein’s representatives emailed to confirm they’re coming by in a couple days. Why don’t you meet with them too?” he said. “They’re bringing their own expert.”

“Are you trying to cheer me up?” I asked.

“Yes. I didn’t mean to sound like I thought you were making things up. I just know that sometimes I start seeing things that aren’t there when I’m worn down by a case. Finding that tracker got us both extra jumpy. We need a good night’s sleep and we can talk about our next steps tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I agreed. While Garrett had answered calls, I’d been pondering the man on the motorcycle who’d tampered with our tires and the name I kept returning to was Gideon Black. It had to be him. But why? Why did he want to delay us returning to town? Or did he simply want us to back off? Surely, he knew that wouldn’t happen. And why was he tracking us? It didn’t make sense.

“I’m going to get the IT guys to take a look at the tracker when the car is brought in and see if they can give us any information about where it’s from or who planted it.”

“Let me know if anything comes of it?”

“Will do but don’t get your hopes up. Night, Lexi.”

“Night, Garrett.”

I headed outside, saying hi to two uncles and a cousin, and three guys from my high school graduating class on the way. Outside, Maddox’s vehicle was gone and Solomon hadn’t arrived.

A movement at the edge of the building caught my eye and my jaw almost dropped open.

The man standing there was full of audacity.

Ben Rafferty.

Tom Benedict.

Joe Smithson Junior.

Gideon Black .

He was looking directly at me. His hands in his jeans pockets, his linen shirt open at the neck and sleeves rolled to the elbows, as casual as if he’d caught sight of an old friend while taking a stroll. His dark brown hair was a little longer and he had a few days of beard growth, but trimmed stylishly. I’d recognize him anywhere and I definitely wasn’t hallucinating.

Why had that small movement in the corner of my eye stopped me? No, it wasn’t because he was moving. It could only be because he was the only person not moving, while officers and other pedestrians moved around him.

It was like he was invisible to everyone except me.

For a moment, I was rooted to the spot. Then I stepped towards him.

Gideon stepped back.

I took another step and he turned, glancing behind him with a smile, ensuring I was watching, and walked around the side of the building.

I took off at a run, scared I would lose him but when I reached the edge of the building, there he was again. Waiting.

Waiting for me.

He waited until I began to walk towards him, then turned and speed-walked.

By the time I caught up with him, he was rounding the corner of the parking lot for police vehicles, this side walled from the street.

“Ben?” I called out, wondering if he’d respond. How long had it been since he’d used that name?

He stopped and turned.

“Hello, Lexi,” he said, his face even more charming now he smiled. His brown eyes were just as mesmerizing as I remembered. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Ben. Or should I call you Gideon?”

If he were surprised I knew his real name, he didn’t show it as he stepped closer, closing the gap between us. “Either is fine. Ben if you prefer since that’s how you know me best.”

“I don’t know you at all,” I said. “Ben Rafferty never existed.”

“He did for a little while. I’ve thought about you a lot. You changed me.” Gideon reached to stroke my cheek but I stepped back. His face fell, just ever so slightly but I wasn’t fooled. He wasn’t disappointed; it was just another manipulation. A trickle of disgust slithered down my spine. He wanted me to want him. Or to feel sorry for him. “That was forward of me. I apologize. I hoped I would see you again. Not under these circumstances, of course,” he added with a small lift of his shoulder as he glanced around.

“What circumstances would these be?”

“My father’s death. Or rather, its discovery.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. For a moment, it didn’t matter what Gideon had done, or his father. He was still a man who’d lost his parent. There was still a man who had been murdered.

“Thank you. It means a lot to me, coming from you.”

I ignored that. If Gideon were trying to build a connection, he wasn’t going to find me susceptible. His words meant nothing. How could they? He was a proven liar. “Did you know he was here? That he lived here?” I asked.

“No, that was news, but I knew he’d been here. He moved around a lot and he wasn’t always honest about where. I figured that out in my teens. I figured a lot out in my teens,” he said, holding my gaze with a look so knowing that I knew he knew exactly what kind of man his father was. “It took a long time to track my dad’s movements but I found out what I needed to know.”

“Was that why you came to Montgomery before?” I asked, curious.

“Yes, originally. It won’t come as a surprise to you that I ended up in Alabama first. Wrong Montgomery. You’d think the powers that be would call one of them New Montgomery at least.” He shrugged. “Easy mistake to make. Only thousands of miles between the two.”

“How did you know you got it right when you pitched up here last time?”

“I couldn’t be sure at first. I won’t bore you with the details but I knew soon enough. The discovery of my father’s remains now absolutely solidifies it. I wonder if he liked it here.” Gideon cast a look around the street but I knew he didn’t mean here , here. He meant down the street from my parents, Charlie Black living his life like the traveling salesman he purported to be. Had “Joe Smithson” lived a life here, visiting our museum? Our grocery stores? Did he take walks in the parks? Just close enough to get to his son, but far enough away that his anonymity was guaranteed? “Not his usual sort of place. He liked excitement,” said Gideon. “He lived for the thrills.”

“The kind of excitement you get robbing museums?” I asked, taking my chance.

Gideon smiled broadly and wagged his finger at me. “I always liked you. So direct. Pretty too.”

“I know. You don’t have to butter me up.”

“Confident too. Sassy. Well, to answer your question, yes, my father did like robbing museums amongst other places. As you’ve probably guessed, he was very good at it too.”

“Until someone shot him.”

There it was. The bullseye.

“No need to rub it in,” said Gideon, his face falling.

For a moment I felt guilty. “Sorry.”

Gideon stepped closer and I retreated, finding my back against the wall, my escape blocked. “I need your help,” he said, brushing back a lock of hair that slipped over my shoulder. A waft of expensive aftershave, fresh and masculine, reached me. It should be against the law for criminals to smell this good.

“Have you tried the police?” I thumbed over my shoulder to the very building we were adjacent to.

“I don’t think they will help me. I need your help, Lexi.”

“Stop by the office in the morning. We’ll listen to your case.” Probably with the police listening next door, but I didn’t tell him that. “There will be paperwork. Bring your checkbook.”

“I’m here now. I need you to get something for me.”

“Like what?”

“The police have something of mine. I want it back.”

“You want the jewels found with your father.” Not a question. A statement.

“I do.”

“They’re not yours.”

“I beg to differ.”

“They belong to Rachenstein.” Another calculated guess.

Gideon’s jaw stiffened. “They belong to me.”

“We could be here all day doing this.” I was tempted to check my watch sarcastically but sudden moves seemed a bad idea. Gideon had me trapped against the wall and no one knew where I was. Damn it! Surprise at seeing him had overtaken me. I should have called Solomon before I followed Gideon around the corner but I’d been so desperate not to lose him. I couldn’t do that. Not after the embarrassment of insisting I’d seen Maddox’s thief.

“I don’t have all day. I need you to go inside and get my jewels. I need you to go now. I’m not the only person who wants them. All the vultures will be here soon. Did you leak it to the press?”

“No! Did you?”

“No.”

“Did you kill your father?” I asked.

Gideon recoiled. “No!” Then he softened. “I’m not a killer. I’m a thief. Not the same thing.”

“Do you know who did?”

“No.”

“Do you want to know?”

“I want the jewels. You can tell me the rest later.” Gideon leaned closer again, his body inches from mine. “Do you know who killed my dad?” he asked softly.

“I’ve got a good idea.”

“Who?”

“Did you bug my car?” I asked, switching topics. If I could keep him talking long enough, Solomon would come looking for me.

“What’s with all the questions?”

“Did you?” I pressed.

“Maybe.”

“Why?”

“I think you’re stalling for time. I’ve told you what I need you to do. I want you to go inside here,” he said, tapping the building, his arm trapping me, “and get the jewels and bring them out to me. As soon as I have them, I’ll be gone and you’ll never see me again. Unless you want to.” He smiled and tickled my cheek.

I drew up my hand and wiggled my ring finger. “I’m spoken for.”

“I heard you were married. That doesn’t bother me.” He winked.

“How did you hear anything?”

“I have plenty of ears that listen. Now go inside and get my jewels.” He mimed walking away with his fingers.

“I can’t. They’re in the evidence locker.”

“Which is exactly why you’re going to get them for me.” Something jabbed at my ribs. I looked down, expecting to see his finger but instead, I saw the muzzle of a gun, just peeking from under his shirt. I forced a breath, forcing a calmness I didn’t feel.

“I’m not a police officer.”

“I’ve done my research on you, Lexi Graves, PI. You’re related to half of them. Find someone to help you. Doesn’t matter who or what crazy story you make up, just get in there, get the jewels and bring them here. I’m sure you can figure it out. You have thirty minutes.”

“But…”

Gideon pressed the gun into my ribs. “Twenty.”

I gulped. “No.”

“I thought you’d say that so I made a backup plan. Your friend is Lily, isn’t she? Such nice, blond hair. Lovely family. Really picture perfect. I bet you’d miss her.”

Fear chilled me. “Lily? There’s no way you could get to Lily.” But even as I said it, I wasn’t sure. I’d posted her outside the Dugans’ house. Gideon could have seen her.

“You think I meant Lily? No, the ‘her’ I meant is Poppy. Cute, little thing.”

I paled. My head swam as nausea filled me. “What?” I whispered, the word choking in my throat.

“I have someone watching her as we speak. If you’re not back with the jewels in twenty minutes, poor, little Poppy is going to disappear. Poof!” His breath was warm against my cheek.

“But I…”

“No ifs, no buts, just get in there and… ooof!” Gideon’s eyes swiveled then rolled upwards. He lurched against me but before I could push him off, he sank to his knees and keeled to the ground, hitting the pavement like a dead weight.

I looked up into a woman’s eyes. The same eyes I’d seen only a short time ago. The face I thought I’d mistaken.

“I knew it!” I said and punched the air.

“You’re welcome.” The woman’s lips slid into a half smile. She nudged Gideon with the toe of her sneaker. Slumped on the ground, he didn’t make a sound.

“Who are you?” I asked. Her visage was the same. Same high cheekbones, set into a sweetheart face. Yet she looked completely different from the woman in uniform. The blues were gone and the pointed cap and sunglasses. Hair longer now, and blonde, falling around her shoulders. She wore fitted jeans and a frilly, peach blouse with neat, pointed pumps that I recognized from my wish list. Her jewelry was understated and elegant, just a couple of gold chains around her neck and studs in her ears.

Was this the real her? Or another version, another disguise? I wasn’t sure I’d ever know.

I wasn’t even sure why she was in front of me right now.

“A better question is what am I doing,” she said, pointing to Gideon’s crumpled body. In her hands, she held a light, retractable, baton. “Saving you, of course.”

I grimaced at the weapon, another one far too close to me, but she didn’t make any move to use the baton further. “Did you kill him?” I asked, stooping to check his pulse at his wrist. The beat was strong but when I peeled back his eyelids, there was no cognition. Gideon was out cold. I removed his fingers from the gun he still held and kicked it along the wall behind me where neither of them could reach it.

“No, I didn’t hit him nearly hard enough for that. He’s just going to have a snooze on the ground and then a nice, big headache. I heard what he said. Who’s Poppy?”

“My niece.”

“I doubt she’s in any danger. Gid’s not dangerous. Well, not usually. Definitely not to kids. He probably wouldn’t have shot you either.”

“Probably?”

“I doubt it’s loaded. He’s really not a guns man.”

“You seem to know a lot about him.”

She pulled a face. “Unfortunately.”

“I’m going to call Poppy’s mom all the same.” I pulled out my phone and paused. I wanted to know something else first. “I know it was you in the police uniform, coming out of the station.”

“No idea what you’re talking about,” she said but she couldn’t stop the small upwards curve of her lips.

“If you know him, you probably knew he put a tracker on our car,” I said.

“That doesn’t surprise me. I put a tracker on his motorcycle. Gideon always thinks he’s the predator but I’m top of the food chain here.” Again, that flicker of a smile.

“I was interrogating him!”

“Oh, that’s what you were doing.” She tapped her forehead, mocking me. “My bad. Perhaps I shouldn’t have stepped in.”

“Why did he deflate our tires? Why did he want us out of the way?” I asked, stealing the opportunity to fill in the blanks.

“He did? I’m sure you can guess why.” She inclined her head towards the police station.

“The tires blew! We drove off the road.” I stopped, thinking.

She looked me over from head to foot. “You seem okay.”

“No thanks to Gideon.” We stared at him. He looked pathetic, crumpled on the ground, but I could only imagine his temper when he awoke. I didn’t want to be around for that. Gideon liked to win and he’d just lost. Not only that, but he’d lost badly. “He wanted us out of the way because he had a plan to steal the….”

“Jewels,” filled in the woman. “I’m sure every thief from here to Mars will sniff around while this police department has possession of them.”

“Well, if he wanted us out of the way, then his Plan A went wrong. Apparently, I was Plan B.”

“Sounds like Gideon. Always wanting women to do his dirty work.” She shook her head in mock exasperation like she’d heard this before. Or been a victim of it. Yet she didn’t act like she had been one of Gideon’s marks. She was too self-assured and too… amused.

“Well, it was a waste of time for both of you. He’ll never get them now. If you were after the jewels, you never got them either. I saw them not fifteen minutes ago. They’re all accounted for.”

“Isn’t that good news?” she said, expressionless, like she didn’t care one bit. “I’ll get going. Let’s not run into each other again, Lexi.”

“How do you know my name?” I asked, frowning. How did she know me at all? I glanced towards the street at the front of the building. Had Gideon said something to her? Or Maddox? How well did they know each other? Or was it something she’d figured out by herself?

“So many questions, so little time. It was nice meeting you but I have to go.”

“Hey…”

“Another time perhaps,” she said, stepping away.

“Why did you hang around anyway?” I asked, both curious and stalling for time.

“I didn’t plan to. I saw this idiot loitering near the station and figured he was up to no good. Then I saw you make a beeline for him and figured I better watch over you. Of course, he was after the jewels. Typical Gid.”

“And his father.”

“Imagine that. Like father, like son. Seems like Gideon will get a better end than his father did,” she said, with a shrug. “And a lot of time to contemplate his misdeeds. Do encourage your police friends to lock him up, won’t you?”

“It sounds like you know him.”

“We’ve come across each other before. I guess you can take it from here?” She nudged him and for a moment, I wondered if she were contemplating kicking the man while he was down.

“What about you? Where are you going to go?”

“That would be telling,” she said and tapped her nose.

“Is there a way to contact you?” I asked. “If I need help with anything questionable in the future?”

“Probably not, but I appreciate the asking. We’d be quite the team in another life.” She glanced up and stilled. I followed her gaze and found myself looking at Maddox, standing at the end of the road beyond the police station. Too far to hear us, but close enough to recognize her. The look they gave each other was long and loaded.

“Why did you watch over me?” I asked, turning back to her, but she was already gone, leaving my question hanging in the air.

Maddox launched into a run towards us. Instead of bypassing me in pursuit of my mysterious rescuer, he skidded to a stop. “What happened here?” he asked wrenching his attention from down the street to looking from me to Gideon, then to the gun.

“Remember Ben Rafferty? Or Gideon Black as we now know him. He was after the jewels. He threatened me. He threatened Poppy!” Fear turned to anger inside me.

On the ground, Gideon groaned. His hand flapped to his head but his eyes didn’t open.

“Why was Cass Temple here?” asked Maddox. He knelt beside Gideon, checking his pulse like I had done.

“I was going to ask you that,” I said, noting her name. Cass Temple .

He’d asked me if I’d heard the name Temple!

Who was she? Why had she come to my aid? What was I to her?

“What did she tell you?” asked Maddox.

“Nothing!”

“You were talking.”

“About this!” I waved my hand at Gideon.

Maddox ran a hand over his hair, turning away briefly. “It was a good thing we spotted you both. Sadiq called Garrett. They’ll all be here in a moment.”

“She was inside the police station less than an hour ago. She was wearing a police uniform. She must have been after the jewels but she didn’t get them. Neither did Gideon,” I told him.

“Are you sure of that? Are you sure she didn’t steal anything?”

“Garrett and I saw the jewels, if that’s what you mean. The sergeant in the evidence locker unsealed the box in front of us and counted them out. We saw them!”

“And you just happened to run into her?”

“She said she waited around and saw Gideon. She followed him. She helped me.”

“She’s going to disappear.” Maddox looked skyward, his fists clenching and unclenching.

Then Garrett arrived, calling to us, several police officers in tow, their weapons drawn as they circled Gideon. Someone tugged me back while another officer scooped up Gideon’s gun. Another officer checked over Gideon as he groaned some more, then two pulled him into a seated position against the wall. I waited as he was handcuffed, and an ambulance called for.

“Hi, Garrett,” I said when my brother took me by the shoulders, running an eye over me and giving a satisfied nod.

“You don’t seem hurt,” said Garrett, a deep frown marring his forehead.

“I’m not. But I need you to do something.”

“Name it.”

“First find out where Poppy is and make sure she’s safe.”

Garrett glanced at Gideon, his face darkening. “Why wouldn’t she be safe?” he asked, his voice a low growl.

“I’m sure she is. I think it was just an idle threat but we need to be sure. Gideon said someone’s watching her and Lily’s with Mom.”

“I’ll call Jord now and tell him to get over to wherever she is.”

“There’s one more thing,” I said, the missing pieces beginning to click into place. Cass Temple hadn’t stolen the jewels… except… what if she had? What if we’d all been hoodwinked? Was it even possible?

“Go on.”

“I told you I saw her but when we checked the jewels and found nothing missing, I figured I had to be wrong. But what if I weren’t? What if I really did see her walking out of the building?”

“Her?”

“The woman! She was…” I looked around. “She was here. Maddox saw her!”

Garrett regarded me skeptically. “We saw the jewels,” he reminded me.

“I know. Maybe she was casing the station or… or… I don’t know but she was here! Everyone saw her!”

Garrett nodded. “Outside, not inside MPD. You can explain more about this thief later,” he said, looking over my shoulder. “Or Maddox can.”

My shoulders slumped. He was right, of course, the only witnesses to Cass Temple’s appearance saw her outside. And the jewels were there. Plus, she had been tracking Gideon… hadn’t she?

Finally, when I turned away, I looked directly into Solomon’s eyes.

“What the hell happened here?” he asked.

“I’ll explain on the way home,” I said and reached for his hand.