Chapter Fourteen
ANDRE PARKED IN front of the Street mansion and turned off the engine. He threaded his fingers through Riley’s and studied the house.
“This is a classy place,” Elias said from the backseat. “Miles Thomas doesn’t belong here.”
“You’ll get no argument from me.” Andre looked at Riley. “Last chance to back out. No one will think less of you if you sit this one out.”
“I will. Let’s get this over with so we can drive to Franklin and talk to Angie.”
Andre squeezed her hand briefly, then exited the SUV to circle the hood and open her door. “Ready?”
She gave a slight nod.
He picked up a bag of books, walked with Riley to the double front door, and rang the bell. Elias was correct. This house was too classy for the likes of Miles Thomas.
A minute later, the door opened, and a maid greeted them. “May I help you?”
“We’d like to see Ms. Street, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, ma’am.” Andre gave the woman his most charming smile.
“I’m Andre Marsh. We’re friends of Brenna Mason, and she asked us to drop off signed books for Ms. Street’s literacy auction next month.
” One quick phone call to Eli Wolfe, Brenna’s husband, had netted the perfect excuse to stop by unannounced since Kara was a huge fan of Brenna’s work.
Thank goodness for Zane’s top-tier research skills, which had unearthed that little gem of information.
The maid opened the door wider and stepped back. “Please come in and wait in the sitting room. I’ll let Ms. Street know you’re here.” She led them to a large room to the left of the entryway and left them there. She returned less than five minutes later with a man and a woman.
Andre recognized them from the photos Zane had sent.
Kara Street looked like the all-American girl next door.
Blond hair, sparkling blue eyes, a generous mouth, and a delicate frame.
She couldn’t be over five feet five, the stuff of dreams if you were into women who were blond, built, and beautiful.
Andre was into brunettes himself, specifically one brunette.
Miles Thomas stood close to six feet tall with a muscled frame.
From his broad chest to his tapered waist, Thomas’ physique showcased a man who’d had nothing much to do with his time except work out.
Roped muscles covered his arms. If Andre hadn’t been working out like a fiend with his teammates and Artemis, he’d hate to go up against Thomas alone.
Beside Andre, Riley stiffened as she stared at her worst nightmare come to life.
He longed to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but this wasn’t the time for comfort.
He’d do nothing to make Riley seem weak in front of her nemesis.
She said she could handle being in the same room with Thomas, and he believed her.
Kara Street walked toward Andre with her hand outstretched.
“Mr. Marsh, I’m Kara Street. It’s so nice to meet a friend of Ms. Mason’s.
” After shaking his hand, Kara introduced Thomas.
“We appreciate you going to the trouble of delivering Ms. Mason’s books.
I’m thrilled to offer these signed first editions at the auction. ”
Andre handed her the bag. “Ms. Mason hopes that her books and her donation will help. Literacy is a cause near to her heart.”
Thomas didn’t say a word during their conversation. Instead, he stared at Riley. Two minutes later, recognition filled his eyes and his lips curved slightly.
Andre moved closer to Riley. If Thomas took one step toward her, he’d regret it.
“We’re so grateful to Ms. Mason for her kindness and generosity. Tell me something, Mr. Marsh. Is she as nice as she appears to be?”
“Yes, ma’am. She is.”
“I knew it,” Kara said, smiling. “Didn’t I tell you she wasn’t a fake, honey?” She beamed at Thomas. “I was right.”
“You got me, baby doll. You were right again.” He bent and pressed a hard, possessive kiss to her mouth with his gaze locked on Riley. When he straightened, Thomas turned to Riley. “You grew into a beautiful woman, Riley Sloan. I’m sorry I missed seeing you blossom.”
Kara looked at Riley, then back at Thomas. “You know this woman?”
“A lifetime ago,” Riley said. “When I was sixteen.”
“Oh, I’d love to hear about that sometime. Wouldn’t that be fun, Miles?”
A mocking smile curved his mouth. “Sure, baby doll. I’d enjoy getting to know Riley much better now that she’s a grown woman.”
“Not going to happen,” Andre said.
Kara’s smile faded. “Is something wrong?”
“Ask your boyfriend.”
“What’s going on, Miles?”
“Riley is the reason I went to prison.”
Elias shifted to stand on Riley’s other side. “You went to prison for your own actions, Thomas. Don’t blame a sixteen-year-old girl for your prison sentence.”
“Why shouldn’t I blame her?” Thomas pointed a finger in her direction. “She’s the reason I lost more than a decade of my life.”
Kara stared at Riley. “Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Why would you do that to him? Miles is a kind, wonderful, and warm man who would hurt no one. That’s so unfair. I could have had more time with him if not for you.”
“Count yourself lucky you didn’t.”
Thomas took a step toward Riley, rage filling his eyes.
Andre shifted to stand in front of her. “Take one more step, and I will happily take you down, Thomas.”
“Should I call security, Miles?” Kara’s eyes were wide as she looked from one person to another.
“You won’t need to do that, ma’am. We need to ask Thomas a couple of questions, then we’ll leave.”
The man laughed. “Why should I answer your questions? I don’t owe you a thing.”
“If you’re innocent like you’ve convinced Ms. Street, you won’t mind talking to us for a couple of minutes. What will it hurt?”
Would Thomas cooperate? He couldn’t pull off acting as a wrongfully convicted man if he refused to talk to them. Even Kara would look at him with suspicion in her eyes.
Andre saw the minute Thomas realized he was boxed in and couldn’t escape.
“What questions?” Thomas bit out.
“What do you know about Joe Rutland?”
The other man frowned. “Who is he?”
Oh, man. Unfortunately, Andre believed him, and from her body language, so did Riley. “Do you know anything about Cliff Carter?”
Thomas snorted. “Looks like you’re out of luck. I don’t know anyone named Cliff Carter or Joe Rutland. So, who are these guys?”
“Men who paid us a visit. They seemed like the type of men you would know from your prison days.”
“Why did you come to me to ask if I knew them?” Thomas scowled. “Wait a minute. I see how protective you are of Riley. The only reason you’d question me about these men is if Rutland and Carter tried to hurt Riley.”
“Did you hire them to attack me?”
“Why would I do that, Riley? I didn’t know you lived in this area. Besides, even though I hated prison, my time behind bars brought Kara into my life. I never would have met her under other circumstances. The endless days in prison were worth it to have Kara.”
Kara beamed at him. “Oh, Miles, you know how I feel about that. I truly believe you and I were destined to be together.”
“Do you know why a jury convicted Thomas and sentenced him to prison?” Iona asked.
“Of course, but the charges were false. If Miles had had a better lawyer, he never would have been convicted of something he didn’t do.”
“When Thomas’s wife and son burst into my bedroom, they found him with his hands on me, attempting to tear off my clothes.” Riley stepped to the side of Andre. “I didn’t make up the charges, Kara. I simply told the truth when the police questioned me about that night.”
Kara waved that aside. “I know all about that night. Miles told me you misunderstood what he was doing. You’re lucky he’s so generous and kind.
Otherwise, he could take you to court with a lawsuit.
” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “Although I appreciate you delivering Ms. Mason’s books, you should go now.
Miles and I have errands to run.” She beamed again.
“We’re getting married the day after tomorrow. ”
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Ms. Street.” Riley stepped back. “Miles Thomas is not who he pretends to be, and I hope you don’t find out the hard way how wrong you are about him and his character.”
They climbed into the SUV a minute later and drove away from the massive mansion. Elias sighed. “Well, that was a bust.”
“Not totally.” Andre glanced at him in the rearview mirror.
“We know Thomas didn’t hire Rutland and Carter and send them after Riley.
Now that we have his name, Zane will trace the funds coming and going from his accounts.
If he lied about knowing the two men, Z’s investigation will eventually connect the assassination fund with the person who hired those men.
If it’s Thomas, we’ll nail him to the wall for coming after Riley. ”
Andre guided the vehicle onto the interstate and headed for Franklin.
Thirty minutes later, he followed the navigation system’s instructions to Angie Dodd’s home.
Unlike Kara’s monstrous house, Angie’s was large but not ostentatious.
The spacious yard was awash with colorful flowers growing in well-tended beds all around the property.
Although he didn’t have enough patience to tend flowers at his own house, he appreciated their beauty.
After helping Riley to the driveway, he used his body to shield her from anyone inside the home who might watch them. “Are you ready for this?”
She looked up at him, her face pale. “I have to be. We need answers.” Riley swallowed hard. “I don’t want to believe Angie tried to kidnap and kill me, but we have to be sure. If she’s lying, I’ll know.”
“We can delay ringing the doorbell for a couple of minutes if you need time to gather yourself.” He wished Riley would give herself a break. The trauma from her childhood had left invisible scars, yet she demanded more from herself than she did of her teammates.
Riley shook her head. “Let’s get this over with so we can either mark Angie off the list or turn her over to the authorities.”
“All right.” Andre bent and brushed his mouth over hers. “You’ve got this, and we have your back.” He drew her away from the SUV and closed the passenger door. They met Iona and Elias on the walkway and walked to the porch together.
Andre rang the bell and eased in front of Riley as they waited, hoping his action might give her a few more seconds to prepare for the confrontation to come.
Seconds later, the door opened. Instead of Angie or her husband, a young girl looked up at him. “Hello. We’re looking for Angie Dodd Whitmore. Is she at home?”
“Diana, who’s at the door?” a female voice said from somewhere deeper in the house.
Behind him, Riley gasped. Did she recognize the voice of her former mentor, or was something else wrong?
Andre reached behind him to wrap his hand around Riley’s as Diana looked over her shoulder.
“Some people are here looking for you.”
“Who is it?”
“I need to go, Mom. I’m late. Audrey expected me fifteen minutes ago.”
“Go ahead.” A woman in her forties hurried into view. “Call me when you get there, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. I love you. Bye.” Diana raced out the door and hurried down the street.
“Sorry about that.” Angie eyed Andre and glanced at his friends. Her gaze lingered on what she could see of Riley. “My daughter said you were looking for me. I’m Angie Whitmore.”
“Andre Marsh.” He shook her hand. “These are my friends, Iona and Elias, and you already know Riley.”
Riley stepped out from behind Andre. “Hello, Angie. It’s been a long time.”
“Riley,” she whispered. “Oh, my goodness. Riley.” Angie threw her arms around Riley’s neck and hugged her, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re here. How did you find me?”
“I have friends with connections in law enforcement and government agencies. You weren’t hard to find.”
“I’m so glad to see you.” Angie stepped back. “Please come inside. I’d love to visit with you and your friends.”
Andre escorted Riley inside and followed Angie to a sitting room with furniture that invited guests to sit and stay a while.
Angie sat at the end of a large sofa and gestured for Riley to join her.
He squeezed Riley’s fingers and followed her lead, allowing her to choose if she wanted to sit near Angie or somewhere else. His girlfriend sat near the other woman but kept almost the width of a cushion between them.
Andre sat next to her, his gaze locked on Angie.
“Tell me about yourself. The last time I saw you, you were leaving to attend MTSU.”
“I graduated, and the CIA recruited me as an analyst.”
Blood drained from Angie’s face. “Tell me you didn’t take the job.”
A small smile curved Riley’s mouth. “Sorry. I can’t do that.”
Angie closed her eyes briefly. “How long were you with The Company?”
“Eight years.”
“At least tell me you stayed behind a desk where you were safe.”
Riley lifted one shoulder in a shrug.
“Oh, Riley. They promised me they would leave you alone. I should have known not to trust them.”