Page 77 of Where Secrets Lie

Chapter 41

“I am pleased to announce the indictment of James Hornbrook,” Elliot Drake said, baritone voice laced with practiced gravitas. He stood behind a portable lectern with the DA’s seal, which had been set up on the steps of the TGU administration building. “Mr. Hornbrook was the mastermind behind a smuggling network that stretched from the jungles of southern Mexico to the art galleries of Manhattan and victimized this fine university. He is a coward and has fled justice, but we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to find him and bring him back to face the consequences of his actions.”

Hez smiled and leaned against the bole of a tupelo tree. This was much more fun than the last conference he’d attended here. He was a spectator this time, so he could relax and enjoy the show. And Drake knew how to put on a good show. His gelled black hair gleamed in the late-morning sun, and he squinted slightly in the bright light, looking strong and resolute.

The ostensible reason for holding the press conference at TGU was that Drake’s announcement involved artifact smuggling, but Hez suspected Drake also wanted to associate himself with Savannah, who was now very popular for having saved TGU. She stood to Drake’s right, looking gorgeous andprofessional in a blue suit accented with a red-and-white TGU pin. Hope stood on Drake’s left, beaming.

Hez chuckled at Hornbrook’s predicament. He’d paid a huge price to keep Hez and Bruno from airing his financial dirty laundry—and hestillhad to run. Hope had been putting together an indictment for artifact smuggling at the same time Hez had been battling in bankruptcy court, and she’d gotten an arrest warrant just days after Hornbrook’s deal with TGU closed. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

A hand touched Hez’s arm and he turned to see Martine beside him. “Why aren’t you up there?”

“This is mostly Hope’s accomplishment. If Drake is going to share the credit with anyone, it should be her. Besides, having the university’s lawyer up there might imply that the DA’s office didn’t do all the work.”

An amused smile curved her full lips. “You know what DA stands for, right?”

Hez grinned at the old legal/political joke. “Definitely Ambitious. Think he’ll run for AG?”

Martine’s smile broadened. “You mean Aspiring Governor? I heard he’s already talking to donors, and someone registered drake4attorneygeneral.com.” She jutted her chin toward the press conference. “When do you think he’ll indict Hornbrook for murder?”

Hez kept his face blank. “Whose murder?”

Martine’s eyes widened in surprise. “Jess’s, of course. Hornbrook had her killed because he was afraid she was about to turn on him.”

That would have sounded right to Hez—except for the video of Hornbrook sending underlings to check his car for bombs.Could that have been an act for the cameras, or was Martine lying? “How do you know?”

“I don’t know—but my client does.”

“Your client. So you’re here on business, then?”

She gave him a coy look. “It’s always a pleasure when I get to see you, Hez. But yes, I’ll be billing for our chat.”

“So why doesn’t your client save himself the money and talk to me directly? The smugglers are all dead or in jail, and Hornbrook isn’t a threat anymore. He’s on the run. Rumor has it he isn’t even in the U.S. anymore. The danger is gone.”

She shook her head. “The danger won’t be gone until Hornbrook is in a federal prison. Besides, my client believes that when you do good deeds, you should do them in secret. Do not announce them with trumpets like the hypocrites.”

He let a hint of sarcasm creep into his voice. “Your client must be a very humble man.”

“I never said my client was a man. You did.” She leaned close and winked. “Nice try.”

Martine’s gaze went back to the press conference. Hez turned in the same direction. Drake was saying something about getting an Interpol warrant for Hornbrook’s arrest. Savannah was looking toward Martine and Hez. Was she frowning or just squinting in the sun?

Martine patted Hez’s arm. “I should be going. Good seeing you, Hez.”

***

It seemed fitting for the three of them to be in the cemetery before the postponed engagement party. Savannah paid closeattention to how Simon was doing as they stood beside Jess’s grave with the scent of wildflowers in the air. If only he could cry and get out his grief, but he stood dry-eyed staring down at the flowers still heaped on the mound of dirt. Cody seemed to sense his mood and settled at his feet with his head on his paws. Marley followed suit and lay down near Savannah.

Simon stooped and plucked a daisy from the grass. “Mom would have put on a really great party tonight.”

Hez let go of Savannah’s hand and moved close enough to Simon to put his hand on his shoulder. “She did everything with a great sense of style and flair. She’d had a really great one planned the night she died.”

“Out at Jesse’s Restaurant. I’ve still never gotten to go there.” Simon gave a jerky nod. “Are you going to sell the house?”

Savannah shot a helpless glance at Hez, who nodded encouragement. There was no reason to keep Simon in the dark. “We already have an offer on it. Your mom made sure you were taken care of.”

“I’d rather have her than money.”

Simon had no idea how much was in Jess’s estate, and Savannah hoped he’d never ask. She wanted to keep him innocent of how wealthy he would be someday. “No one will ever replace your mom in our hearts. I know things are a little cramped in my cottage at the moment, but we’ll show you the new house as soon as we can. You can select your new room and decorate it however you like.”

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