Dangerous Lies (Badge of Honor #2)

Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

An icy breeze slid down the collar of Jax’s coat as he paced the shoreline between Megan’s house and the lake. Police boats bobbed on the water, their lights casting faint ripples against the surface. Divers in black suits pitched themselves off the larger vessel, disappearing into the still, murky depths. They were searching for the drone Jax had shot down yesterday. It wouldn’t be an easy recovery. The lake was deep, its bottom tangled with weeds and silt, but finding the device was critical. It could hold the key to identifying the perpetrator.

Jax’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his stomach tightened. Swiping to answer, he said, “Hi, Mom. Have you heard anything about Wesley?”

“Nothing yet. Your dad drove to Ridgewood this afternoon. One of Wesley’s old buddies started some kind of private investigation firm last year. He’s hoping they might help.”

Jax pressed his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. Filing a missing person’s report had crossed his mind more than once, but it was a last resort. Law enforcement already had their hands full, and there wasn’t proof that Wesley was in any real danger. Not yet, anyway. But if his brother stayed off the grid for a few more days, that might change. Wesley had never disappeared for more than a week before.

“ Mijo , I should warn you,” his mother said, her voice hesitant. Jax could picture her chewing her lip nervously, the way she always did when delivering bad news. “Your dad heard rumors this morning. He thinks you’re acting as Megan Ingles’s bodyguard. He nearly drove over to the house to confront you about it, but I convinced him finding Wesley was more important.”

The pounding in Jax’s head intensified. Dropping his hand from his face, he let the wind coming off the lake cool his skin. This wasn’t how he wanted to have this conversation with his parents. He’d planned to explain things in person, but with everything happening so fast, there hadn’t been time.

“Someone is trying to kill her,” Jax said, his tone low but firm. “I think it’s connected to the night Oliver died. It’s a long, complicated story, and I can’t tell you much since it’s an active investigation, but I need you and Dad to trust me. I’m trying to do the right thing.”

He turned to glance back at Megan’s house. He’d left her in the kitchen, baking cookies with her grandmother, gospel music softly playing on the radio. Spending the day with the Ingles family—with Megan—had revealed a lot. They were warm and funny. It had reinforced what he’d already realized: he’d made a terrible mistake. Prayer and careful reflection had shifted his perspective. Megan hadn’t deserved the blame they’d heaped on her. She certainly didn’t deserve to be stalked and nearly killed by a madman.

The trouble was, Jax still didn’t have solid proof of her innocence. He could only hope the investigation would uncover enough evidence to convince his family—and himself—that she wasn’t responsible for Oliver’s death.

“I promise to explain everything when I can,” Jax said, shifting his attention back to the conversation with his mother.

“ Mi amor …” Her voice wavered, and for a moment, Jax could hear her struggling to find the right words. Then she prayed in Spanish. She asked for wisdom and guidance, her words steady and reverent. Jax’s heart twisted. Oliver’s death had changed his mother forever. Now, with Wesley missing and Jax protecting Megan, he knew she was carrying a heavy burden of worry.

When her prayer ended, Valentina sighed. “Of course you should do what you believe is right. I raised you to be independent and strong. I can’t be angry with you for following your convictions, even if I don’t understand them. When your dad comes back, I’ll explain to him what we’ve discussed. I can’t promise he’ll see it my way. He’s his own person. But I’ll try to convince him not to rush to judgment.”

If anyone could get through to his dad, it was his mother. Jax wanted to reach through the phone and give her a hug. “Thanks, Mamacita. I love you.”

“I love you too, mijo . Stay safe.”

As Jax hung up, a branch snapped behind him. He turned, half-expecting it to be Jason Gonzalez. The former Marine was a member of the Special Forces. Jason, along with Nathan Hollister, had taken the first shift guarding the Ingles property. But to his surprise, it was Megan’s grandfather. Clay hadn’t said more than five words to Jax all day. It was strange that he’d sought him out now. Then again, maybe it was time the two men hashed out their differences.

Jax nodded in greeting and then turned back to check on the divers. It didn’t appear they’d found the drone yet, judging from the way everyone was peering overboard.

Clay joined him. “You screwed up yesterday. I told you it wasn’t a good idea for Megan to go out to the boathouse and you ignored me. She’s strong, but everyone has a breaking point. The mannequin… she didn’t need to see that. And by taking her outside, you put her in harm’s way.”

“You’re right. I made a bad call. No one could’ve expected Megan would be attacked by a drone with a flamethrower attached, but…” Guilt gnawed at him. “That doesn’t matter. She was almost killed. I take responsibility for that.”

“And what about everything else?” Clay’s tone was bitter. “The accusations you’ve leveled against her have caused more pain than you can imagine. My granddaughter has made her fair share of mistakes, I won’t deny that, but to be called a murderer?” He shook his head. “Megan was stone-cold sober when the accident happened. The survivors' guilt, town gossip, and constant judgment drove her away. Leaving was the right decision, for her and for her sobriety, but it was hard on Rose and me. We missed having her near. Coming back to Knoxville wasn’t easy for Megan, but when Rose got cancer…”

He paused, seemingly overcome with emotion, before he cleared his throat and continued, “When Rose got cancer, Megan didn’t hesitate to move back. She helped us get through a difficult time, and I’m so proud of the woman she’s become.” Clay turned to face Jax, his expression hard and unyielding. “I won’t have you, or anyone else, threatening to destroy the life she’s built for herself.”

Jax felt the heat of the older man’s anger, but it didn’t spark his own. Clay was protecting Megan. That was his job as her grandfather, and it was a position Jax respected. He wasn’t sure there were any words he could offer that would calm Clay’s ire. But maybe that wasn’t the point.

He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “You’re angry and you have every right to be, but don’t let that cloud your judgment. Megan’s life is in danger and she needs protection. I can provide it.” Jax met Clay’s glare. “I don’t know who is after her, or how it’s connected to Oliver’s death, but it’s my intention to get to the truth. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Clay was quiet for a long moment, assessing him. Then he turned to face the lake again. “I know what it’s like to feel a grief so deep it turns you inside out. Rose and I buried our only child, Robert, nearly thirty years ago, but there are some days, it feels like he just passed. Megan is all we have left. I’m protective. But I’m wise enough to realize we aren’t the only ones hurting.” He tucked his wrinkled hands into the pockets of his corduroy jacket. “I’m sorry about Oliver. I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.”

The unexpected kindness caused a swell of emotion in Jax. Tears burned his eyes, catching him off guard. He blinked them back. “Thank you, sir.”

Clay turned and headed for the house. The conversation hadn’t solved things, but it’d brokered a temporary peace. That was enough.

Jax stood on the shore, watching the dive team, until his rolling emotions settled. Dark clouds hovered in the distance. An arctic front was headed their way. It would drop the temperatures below freezing. There might even be snow, a rare occurrence for this part of Texas.

All the more reason it was important to find the drone today.

Jason Gonzalez strolled down the side yard along the tree line. Scars crisscrossed the former Marine’s left cheek, remnants of an IED explosion that had killed the rest of his unit. At his side was his trusted German shepherd, Connor. The dog had a beautiful black and brown coat, but like his master, scars cut along his left side. Connor was also former military, a retired bomb detection dog.

“Everything okay?” Jax asked as they drew closer.

“No signs of trouble.” Jason adjusted the ski cap covering his dark hair until it protected the tops of his ears. “Nathan is monitoring the front part of the property. We’ll switch shifts in an hour with Walker and Logan.”

Nathan Hollister was a former Green Beret. Married with a daughter, he owned a ranch that also operated as a horse rescue. Walker Montgomery also owned a ranch and his wife, Hayley, worked at the police department. Logan Keller was a paramedic. The former Army medic had been on duty last night and had given Megan an exam to make sure she wasn’t suffering from any lingering effects of hypothermia after her dip in the lake.

“Can’t tell you how much I appreciate y’all being here.” Jax scratched Connor behind the ears. The dog’s tongue lolled out in happiness.

“No need to thank us. We’re happy to do it.” Jason’s gaze went to the police boats out on the water. “No one should be hunted down and threatened.” His gaze swung back to Jax. “You should know, I’ve tried reaching out to your brother several times since he’s come home. Wesley wasn’t interested in joining our informal support group. For some guys, even among fellow soldiers, opening up can be hard.”

Jax sighed. “He’s stubborn. And far too independent.”

“That’s the impression I got too. He’s suffering from PTSD, but I never had the impression it was out of control. Being out in the wilderness, connecting with nature… that seemed to be his version of therapy.” Jason’s mouth flattened into a thin line. “It’s not my place to say, and I don’t have any inside information, but from a personal standpoint, I’d find it difficult to believe Wesley was behind this.”

A knot of tension unfurled in Jax. It was nice to hear that someone outside of the situation had the same assessment of Wesley. “Thank you for saying that.”

The sound of a vehicle turning in the driveway caught Jax’s attention. It was a Knoxville Police Department SUV. Noah and Dawson emerged. Jax lifted his hand in a wave as he jogged across the yard to meet them. “They haven’t found the drone yet. Still looking.”

“We aren’t here about that.” Noah looked weary, deep lines bracketing his mouth. “It’s Zeke Russell. Where’s Megan?”

Dread curled inside Jax. He didn’t like the look on Noah’s face. Whatever his colleague had come to say, it wasn’t good. “She’s inside.” Jax’s gaze darted to Dawson, who also wore a grim expression. “What’s going on?”

“It’s better if we speak to you together,” Noah answered. “I have some follow-up questions anyway.”

Worry fueling his steps, Jax led them into the house. The scent of vanilla and butter hung heavy in the air. Chatter and music spilled from the kitchen. He pointed to the living room and said, “I’ll get Megan.” Jax’s strides were long as he crossed the dining room, even as his mind whirled with possibilities.

He rounded the corner and stopped short. Megan stood at the island in the center. A caramel-colored sweater highlighted the reddish tones in her blonde hair and clung to her slender form. Mid-laugh, her eyes sparkled with humor and her cheeks were flushed with the heat from the oven. And when she noticed him in the doorway, her smile widened.

Jax stared at her, mesmerized. Had he ever seen her like this? Happy and carefree? Their previous interactions had always been so fraught with tension, and since the attacks, worry had entrenched itself in her features. So no, he didn’t think he’d ever seen her like this.

It stole his breath.

Megan was an objectively beautiful woman, but happiness enhanced her beauty, making her radiant. His pulse skipped a beat. Unsettled by his reaction, he tried to tell her that Noah and Dawson were here, but the words died on his lips. Jax couldn’t quite bring himself to ruin the happy moment she’d found. Not after everything she’d been through the last few days.

“Jax!” Megan used a spatula to lift a cookie from a baking tray. “Perfect timing. Settle a debate between Nana and I. Should walnuts be included in chocolate chip cookies or not?”

Rose smiled from her station at the mixing bowl. Her eyebrows drew down into a mock scowl, but a smile played on her lips. “May I remind you, I’m the expert in the room. Walnuts do not belong in chocolate chip cookies. I’m sure Jax will agree with me.”

He held up his hands in mock surrender. It seemed dangerous to step into this debate. “Walnuts or no walnuts, if it’s a chocolate chip cookie, count me in. Actually, any cookie will do.” He winked at Megan. “Although I do like nuts.”

“Ha!” She pointed her spatula at her grandmother. “I told you!”

Nana maturely stuck out her tongue, which made Jax laugh. Knowing that Noah and Dawson were waiting in the other room should’ve been at the forefront of his mind, but it was nice to disappear into the joyful kitchen and forget about the problems plaguing them for a minute or two more.

Jax scanned the cookies covering the counter. “It looks like you’re baking for an army.”

“It’s for the Special Forces. We’ll send some home with Jason and Nathan when they leave.” Megan scooped another cookie off the tray. “We also baked extra for the police department. It doesn’t come close to thanking them for everything they’re doing, but I wanted to let them know how much I appreciate their hard work.”

It was a sweet and unnecessary gesture, but it summed up everything Jax was learning about Megan. She was considerate and unfailingly kind. How could he have ever thought she’d killed his brother and then tried to avoid responsibility for it? Noah had been right. It wasn’t in her nature. In the past, drugs might’ve made her a different person, one he wouldn’t recognize, but this Megan… she wasn’t capable of what he’d accused her of.

It made what he had to say next all that much harder. Jax drew in a breath. “Megan, I’m sorry, but Noah and Dawson are here. They’re waiting in the living room to speak to us about Zeke. I don’t think they’ve found him yet, and they need to ask some more questions.”

It was painful to see the happiness melt from her pretty features, replaced by worry and concern. The flush in her cheeks faded and her mouth flattened. “Nana, can you make a fresh pot of coffee? I’m sure Noah and Dawson would like some.”

With deliberate movements, she untied her apron and slipped it off before squaring her shoulders. Jax admired the way she shifted into battle mode. None of this was easy. He was a police officer with decades of experience, and even his emotions were riding a roller coaster. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like for her.

How much more could Megan take before breaking? Jax didn’t know, and it added a fresh worry to his growing pile. These threats on her life, the pressure she was under… he didn’t want it to drive her back into bad decisions. Megan had been sober for a long time, but even she’d admitted in the hospital that it was a daily choice.

If she was pushed hard enough, would she return to drugs? The thought terrified him.

He cared about her. More than he wanted to admit, and it added another layer to their already complicated relationship. Protecting Megan from a killer was his duty. Finding the man who’d murdered Oliver would provide closure for his family. Forming a relationship—even a friendship—with the woman who’d been driving the car when his brother was killed… that was a step too far.

His family would never accept it. And if Jax needed to remind himself of it daily, then he would. Once this case was over, he and Megan would go their separate ways. There would be peace between them, but nothing else.

Absolutely nothing else.