Chapter 36 Hyper Aware
HYPER AWARE
On Monday, Gale pushed back from her desk, sent a text to Rory, Clay and Ford that she was walking to get lunch. Her office was only around the corner from Main Street and in a high traffic area. There was no reason for anyone to be concerned.
When she didn’t get a reply in five minutes, she left to stretch her legs and get some food.
The minute she turned the corner, there was Kane walking toward her.
It was like he was everywhere she went. How many times in the past few weeks did she run into him or his father? It felt as if it was more than normal, or it could be she was hyper aware of it.
Coming face to face with them after everything she’d learned, put together, and talked about with her brothers and Rory made her more concerned of her situation and surroundings.
She pressed her purse close to her side, her gun in there where it always was. Funny how she was double-checking something that had become second nature for her to always have.
“Gale,” Kane said. “Good seeing you frequenting businesses.”
“I always do,” she said. “Why would you say that?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Kane said, a condescending smirk on his face. “Seems to me you’re spending time with someone who might not be good for your family and the community.”
Rather than grind her teeth, she forced a smile. “What person would that be?”
Kane reached for her arm and pulled her out of the way. She wanted to yank it back, but it’s not like he brought her to a place where people couldn’t see them, just out of foot traffic in front of a store.
“Rory. I’m not buying his crap and you shouldn’t either.”
“What crap is that?”
“That he’s here writing a book about his sister and trying to have his agent pitch it for a documentary. There is more going on and you shacking up with him is only going to hurt your reputation in this area, along with your brother’s business.”
“I wasn’t aware you were so concerned about my reputation, let alone anyone else in my family,” she said innocently, her head angled, the smile still there, but her eyes were anything but friendly.
She just loved baiting people and Kane’s red and twisted face said everything she’d been hoping wasn’t true. Could this guy really be a killer? Had they all been fooled by him for so long?
He relaxed his stance and put the same smile on his face that she’d been giving him. “I’m watching out for the area. His being in town isn’t good for anyone.”
“I think it’s not good for you but not sure why. I thought your father loved the idea of it.”
Kane’s fingers flexed into a fist, but she was positive she wasn’t supposed to notice that.
“He’s old and falling for shit he should be smarter about.
His ego is getting in the way. He needs to let me take care of it now, sit back and just do what he’s been doing for years.
He’s good at one thing and it’s not that. ”
She let out a laugh. “What is it that your father is good at? Community relations?”
Her polite way of saying buying people’s silence.
“Yes,” Kane said. “My job is to expand and it’s what I’ve been doing for over fifteen years. I’m not letting some outsider with an ax to grind about his sister’s unsolved murder stop that. He’s not going to find what he’s looking for and he’d be smart to leave before someone gets hurt.”
She narrowed her eyes. Everything in her wanted to say it was too late, that Rory had gotten hurt, but she didn’t want to let on to anything else.
“That sounds like a threat,” she said. “Or is my hearing off?”
“Not a threat,” Kane said. “I don’t do that. I state facts. Listen, I am watching out for you and the community that I’ve poured my heart, sweat and tears into. No one wants things to fall through now. There are too many jobs and opportunities on the line.”
She didn’t think Kane had a heart, ever sweated, and sure the hell didn’t drop a tear. Nor did she know what the hell he was talking about.
“You’re getting all worked up over a restaurant venture and some new condos?”
“It’s always more than that,” Kane said. “Don’t think there aren’t plans or talks before it’s released. Just remember that.”
“Kind of hard to forget,” she said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get some lunch.”
She walked past him and went into the first restaurant she came to. And there in front of her were Daniel and his wife, Diana.
What. The. Fuck.
They were everywhere.
Or maybe Kane was just leaving them since it looked as if they were finishing up their lunch.
Rather than go in the other direction, she asked the hostess, “Can I have that table right there?”
The one next to Daniel and Diana.
“Sure, go on, your server will be right over.”
She walked in and pulled the chair out and sat.
“Afternoon, Daniel. Hi, Diana. I’m not sure if you remember me. I’m Gale Ridgeway.”
“Of course she remembers you,” Daniel said. “So nice to see you again. Remember, Diana, Gale is Ford’s sister. She’s an attorney in the area.”
The sour pucker face of Diana’s told her that maybe she was talked about more than she cared to know. “I know who you are,” Diana said.
Daniel was looking her over like he always did. Dirty old man. She was used to it. She had to admit Kane was too annoyed just now to give his normal perusal of her body.
Going to give this a little nudge. She slowly crossed her legs, her skirt rising some. Daniel’s eyes zoomed to her knees. Predictable creep.
“How are things going with that writer friend of yours?” Daniel asked. “I heard you were dating and he’s staying with you now?”
That got to Daniel faster than she thought. Guess people talked over the weekend too.
“He is,” she said. “Until he goes back home. We’re going to try the long distance thing at some point. I heard he talked with you and Kane about his documentary.”
“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” Daniel said. “I told Diana that too. She’s not so sure, but she doesn’t understand the business like me.”
“If Kane is worried it could bring negativity to the area or potential job loss, then you should listen to him.” Diana said.
“I taught Kane everything he knows and he’s going to remember that,” Daniel said, his voice dripping with more sarcasm than water from a wet rag. “I’m nowhere near ready to retire, so you both better get it out of your heads.”
Interesting bit of news to put aside. Her server came over and took her drink order, gave her a menu, then dropped the bill on Daniel’s table.
He wasn’t doing that great of a job of hiding his wandering eye there either.
Might as well poke the bear some more. “I’ve run into Rocco a few times on the property. Guess Cindy Fryer has had some issues.” Diana snorted and rolled her eyes.
“Cindy always has something to say,” Daniel said. “I’m sure you can handle her.”
“I can handle everyone and everything that comes my way. But when I was talking to Rocco, he mentioned his mother had worked for you for years and then retired. Cindy was discussing retirement and staying in the area or going someplace warm.”
Daniel looked at his wife who was more interested in her phone than paying attention to the conversation. “My wife would like to retire somewhere warm also. It’s a sore subject.”
“Ahh,” she said. “Hence letting Kane take over. I get it, Diana. My father would love for my mother to cut back, but she says she’s not ready.”
“It’s not as if your parents have the same financial stability as us,” Diana said with her nose in the air. “We moved here once against my wishes. There were plenty of other places to go. I’m not sure why we can’t go where I want now. That was the original plan.”
“Now, now, Diana. Let’s not air out our dirty laundry. When I’m ready to retire or cut back, we can travel more, but for now, there is no reason to leave.”
“So you say,” Diana said.
Daniel winked at her, and it felt as if bugs were crawling under her skin.
The server returned to get her order and take Daniel’s bill with his credit card. “Put Gale’s lunch on mine.”
“No, no,” she said. “Thank you, I appreciate it, but please don’t.” She was firm with the server who nodded her head.
“Why won’t you let me take care of your lunch?” Daniel asked.
“Because it’s unethical. You wouldn’t want anyone to think you were buying me off, would you?” she asked laughing. She leaned in. “You and I both know you called Judge Rooney, so it’s best to let this lie.”
“That was before I knew what was really going on,” Daniel admitted. “Again, it was concern for all parties.”
There they were with that word again. “No reason to be concerned about anything.”
The server returned with Daniel’s credit card, he signed and she watched as the older man and his wife retreated from the restaurant, Diana whispering to her husband, her face red.
Gale didn’t want to forget a minute of what just happened and pulled her phone out to type in notes and then sent it to Ford, Clay and Rory.
It wasn’t even a full minute before her phone was going off with exclamation points and swear words from all three of them.
It made her laugh. She said she wasn’t backing down to them. This was her way.
Maybe it was the fuel needed to light another fire. She wasn’t sure, but to get this done faster, action was required.
Just Rory moving in with her seemed to do it. Two different reactions too. Daniel had always been cool. Kane was always on a power trip.
Neither one of them acted any differently if she really thought about it.
In the broad picture that didn’t help her much either.
Before her lunch was brought over, Ford opened the door, walked in and sat next to her.
“You’re pushing it, Gale.”
“It needs to be done,” she said.
“I know,” Ford said. “Let me do my job.”
She sighed. “You are and you will. All of you. But Kane stopped me on the sidewalk. I’m not cowering for anyone and never have.”
“I get it. You didn’t bait him, but you did Daniel. I know you. Kane set you off and pushed you to approach Daniel.”
She smiled and patted his hand. Her lunch was brought out and put in front of her. Ford reached over and snagged one of her fries.
“I did. It was worth it just to get him to talk. Diana is ready to up and leave and she doesn’t care for her husband’s behavior.”
“You’re speculating.”
She cut her chicken sandwich in half and took a bite. “Maybe. But I saw a pissed off woman who is sick of dealing with her husband.”
“Maybe, but you don’t know what she’s pissed about. Could be his wandering eye.”
“Definitely that.”
“Or that she’s sick of the snow and wants to live in Florida.”
“Good riddance to him and I hope it happens. Just not yet. Not until we get answers.”
“That’s right.”
“You’re going to sit here until I’m done eating and then walk me back to my office, aren’t you?” she asked.
“Yep,” Ford said, reaching for another fry. “I’ve got to pick you up after work anyway. Or is Rory coming to get you?”
“He had to run around today and deal with his car situation, so I’m not sure when he’ll be done.”
“Then you’ve got me.”
She nudged her plate toward him, and he grabbed the second half of the sandwich. “Then eat so you stop talking.”
“Thanks.”
He took it and when the bill came, she said, “You’re paying; otherwise it’d be unethical for an attorney to buy lunch for the sheriff.”
“You’re a brat, Gale,” Ford said, pulling his credit card out. “You did that on purpose.”
This was getting out of hand.
He couldn’t take another day of watching everything he’d built teeter on the edge of collapse. All he wanted was his life back and the quiet sounds of normalcy.
But what the hell was normal anymore?
Threats hadn’t worked. Warnings hadn’t worked. Even his little demonstrations that were enough to rattle anyone else hadn’t shaken Rory loose. Not even the danger hovering over Gale was enough to stop him.
Did the man have no conscience? No fear?
Something drastic. That was the only path left. He didn’t want it to come to this, but the choice was no longer his. Rory had forced his hand.
Still, he couldn’t let everything crumble. Too much time. Too much effort. Too many nights of careful planning. His future depended on keeping it all intact, and he wouldn’t watch it burn because some self-righteous fool bent on revenge came sniffing around.
Soon things would be the way they used to be. His clean, quiet, control that he’d mastered for years would regain its place in his life.
All he had to do was make sure Rory Connors never got the chance to dig any deeper.