Chapter 25
Ineeded to do something that would make me feel like myself again, especially after the day from hell yesterday. Much to my dismay, I finally ended up picking a dress because there’s no more time to delay it.
The dress is pretty, and I should love it, but I don’t. With Bridge’s help, I’ve realized that might be for the best. I mean, who wants to wear their dream dress to marry a man they hate? Seems fitting that I should hate the dress, too.
“Ms. Foster, I wish I could stay, but I need to run an errand for my wife. Will you be okay?”
I look up to find Thomas watching me through the rearview mirror. “Of course, take your time. I plan to spend the rest of the evening here. Why don’t you pick me up around eight o’clock?”
“That’s perfect. If I have time, I’ll join you later on,” he says with a kind smile.
Thomas loves helping the community as much as I do and tries to do so when he can. It’s one of the many things I admire about him. He isn’t just an employee; he’s a friend.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you soon,” I reply.
I open my door quickly and hop out before Thomas can get out and come around. He hates when I do that, but I don’t like for him to trouble himself like that. However, it’s been hard to get him to let that part of the job go. He insists, even though I’m perfectly capable of opening my own door.
He waves as he drives off, and I head into the shelter. This is my happy place, and I need it now more than ever. It’s quiet when I walk in, and that’s a little unusual. It’s usually loud and busy with the high number of people coming and going all hours. I walk past Carol’s office and find it empty as well.
Hmm, where is everyone?
I walk to the commons area and find it eerily quiet there, too. Worry creeps in that something has happened because it’s so unlike the shelter to be this empty. Then I hear a faint shout from the back of the building, which draws my attention.
I pad down the long hallway in the direction I suspect the shout to have come from and find two heavy metal doors at the end. I don’t know where it leads or if I’m allowed to go there, but when I hear another yell, I decide to risk it.
I push one of the heavy doors open and find that they lead outdoors to a large patio area. I’m surprised I’ve never been out here, but it’s also been rather cold lately, and the weather has finally started to warm up.
I glance around and find people scattered about on picnic tables. All the children are off to the left, playing a game of four-square, volleyball, or kick ball in a large green area. Several shelter employees are grilling hamburgers and hotdogs on three grills lined up together along the side.
The food smells heavenly, and the children’s laughter as they run around carefree fills my heart in a way that it hasn’t been since the last time I was here. I wish I could come more often; I wish I could do more.
A metal fence secures the entire perimeter to keep it safer, and it’s relatively private back here away from the main street. I scan the crowd while looking for familiar faces, and I find a few as I walk around.
“Jade! It’s so good to see you!” Carol says as she comes up to give me a big hug.
I laugh as I squeeze her back. “I missed you guys! How’s everything going?”
“Good, really good. We’re doing our first cookout of the season, and everyone is so excited.”
“I can tell. You put all of this together?” I look around at all the colorful decorations. Each table is covered in fun colors, and there are games for kids and adults to play as they socialize.
Carol looks out at the crowd with a warm smile on her face. “I had some help.”
I smile along with her. This is the kind of stuff I really love, and I’m a little bummed I missed out on the planning part. “Let me know when you have the next one. I’d love to lend a helping hand.”
“Oh, I would love that. I’ll be sure to take you up on it,” she says as she waves at a lady in the far corner of the yard.
“Go, go. We can catch up later,” I say as I shoo her off.
She needs to mingle, and there are a few ladies I want to catch up with as well. I don’t see Melanie just yet, but hopefully, I can find out how her court case is going.
“Thanks, dear. Go have some fun tonight. Let your hair down and just relax,” she says as she squeezes my arm.
“I’ll try,” I reply before squeezing her back.
And that’s exactly what I do for the rest of the night. I feel lighter than I have in weeks, and I only have this incredible group of women and children to thank for how light my heart feels.
Colin
Iwatch Moore’s car pull over to the side of the road, and I do the same a few cars behind. He doesn’t get out and leaves it idling, so I follow suit there as well. I don’t know what he’s up since this isn’t on his schedule for the evening, but I hope it could be a break in the case.
I scan the street for anything that looks suspicious or for what Moore might be in this neighborhood for. There isn’t much other than small businesses. A fast-food joint, a gas station on the corner, and a community shelter on another corner.
Moore seems to be watching out the window ahead of him since I don’t see his head swiveling. The only thing that way is the community shelter. This location only houses women and children. On the other side of the block is the housing for men.
I know a little about the center because Dunn has supported it in the past. All of us try to give back when we can. It’s a good reminder to talk to Liam about doing something again for the shelter since it’s been a few years since we last made a donation.
I’m far back enough to have a clear view of Moore’s car, the street, and the sidewalk to the right of his car. So, when Jade steps out of a vehicle a hundred or so yards in front of Moore’s car, I sit up and take notice.
Maybe they’re meeting each other here? It isn’t on the schedule, and Jade didn’t say a word about there being a change, but maybe she forgot? That seems unlikely, however, because she’s very good at keeping me updated on any kind of deviation from Moore’s schedule.
It doesn’t make sense that she would forget considering how badly she wants dirt on him. If they aren’t meeting up, why the hell is he following her?
I watch her driver pull off as Jade—dressed casually in jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt—walks into the women’s shelter. She didn’t acknowledge Moore or even act like she knew he was down the street, so my gut says she has no idea he’s here.
What the hell is he up to?
Before long, Moore pulls off and merges into traffic as he drives away. I put my car into drive as I follow him away from the shelter and Jade.
I want to stay and see what she’s up to, but I don’t want to risk losing an opportunity to break this case wide open. He’s obviously deviating from the schedule tonight, so there’s a chance he’ll make another unscheduled stop.
We turn right, going around the back side of the community shelter and toward the highway. Moore increases his speed, racing past cars and a fence surrounding the backyard of the shelter.
I slow down as I pass the fence when I notice a large group of people congregated in the yard. My curiosity gets the best of me as I make a split-second decision to pull over across the street instead of following Moore.
I quickly open the app connected to the tracker I put on Moore’s car when I first started following him and activate it. It’s small and makes my job a shit ton easier. Once I put my car in park, my eyes scan the yard, looking for one woman in particular.
Jade.
It takes me a moment to find her, but when I do, I see her talking to an older woman. The two of them are laughing and smiling together. They look like they know each other well.
I watch a few more minutes as Jade walks around the yard, speaking to several women and even playing with some of the children. To say I’m a little shocked would be an understatement, and I realize even more that I severely underestimated Jade Foster.
I only watch for a few more minutes before checking Moore’s location. He’s on his way across town and headed to his favorite hole in the wall bar. I start to feel like a creeper, so I pull the car into drive and follow Moore’s path to the bar.
The whole time I can’t help thinking there is more to Jade Foster than meets the eye.
Me: Did you know that an octopus is a master of disguise?
I smile when I watch the dots appear on my screen, indicating she’s typing. They disappear and reappear just moments later.
Jade: Did you know the males die after mating?
I bark out a huff of laughter. Leave it to her to firmly put my ass back in my place.
Jade: Are you trying to say you’re an octopus?
Me: I mean, they also have three hearts and can regrow limbs. So maybe I’m not an octopus, but I’m definitely a master of disguise.
Jade: Pshh. You talk a big game, but I’m still waiting.
Me: You gotta have a little faith, woman.
Jade: That’s a hard one for me, but I’m trying my best to trust you.
The conversation starts to turn serious. I want so badly to end this situation for her today, but if we don’t take the time to get what we need now, it’ll all fall apart in the end. I’ve seen too many cases implode because the time wasn’t taken to build the case. It’s all in the fine details. That’s what makes and breaks cases like this.
Jade doesn’t need circumstantial evidence. She needs the kind of evidence that will land Moore behind fucking bars.
Me: I don’t break my promises, Princess.
Jade: Pinky swear?
My heart squeezes at the reminder of how much she needs me, of how hard it is for her to trust people.
Me: Pinky swear. Cross my heart and hope to die.
Jade: Now you’re just being silly.
Me: Never. I’m serious as a heart attack.
Jade: Bahahahaha, now I know you’re lying.
Me: What? I can’t be serious?
Jade: I don’t think I’ve ever seen it… What does serious Colin look like?
Me: Like a man hell bent on getting you out of marrying a man you hate. I hate him, too.
Jade: Oh, shucks. You sure know how to make a girl swoon.
Me: You like that one, huh?
Jade: Lol. A little... Or maybe a lot.
I smile as I shift and look back to make sure Moore hasn’t left the booth in the back of the bar. He’s sitting with a couple of Vinny’s goons, but there is no sign of Vinny.
I pull the baseball cap down low on my head as I turn back to the bar. I need to be careful. I don’t want Vinny or Moore to notice me sitting up here. I’m pretty damn good about being discrete, hence my reference to being an octopus.
Me: What else do you like?
Jade: What? As in like food, my favorite color? Do I like long walks on the beach or watching a sunset in the mountains? I need more information before I can divulge such things.
I cough, then chuckle at how damn sarcastic she is as I type out my reply.
Me: Lol well, we can start with your favorite color and end with things you like about me.
Jade: Blue, and there’s nothing else I like about you … that’s literally it.
I bark out another laugh. This woman holds no punches, and I really fucking like it.
Me: Now who’s lying?
Jade: I’m about to take it back.
Me: Nope, there’s no take backs. It’s right there in black and white. Forever written.
Jade: I know how to delete things. Don’t let it go to your head.
Me: You wound me, Princess. And here I thought we were on to something.
I’m smiling like a lovesick puppy in the middle of this seedy ass bar because I enjoy the hell out of this banter with her. It’s exhilarating. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
Jade: I eat men like you for breakfast, Brooks. Better watch out.
Me: Don’t threaten me with a good time, Princess. You’ve already taken a bite out of me once, and I survived. In fact… Wanna do it again?
I must have left her speechless because she doesn’t reply right away. I drop my phone back on the bar and pretend to take a sip of my beer.
Movement out of the corner of my eye draws my attention to the back of the bar. I catch Vinny and Moore walking out the back exit of the bar.
Showtime, kids.
I slide my phone into my pocket, vowing to have more fun with Jade later. For now, it’ll have to wait.
I’ve got a fiancé to discredit.