Page 55 of Meant to Be
Jagger leaned forward, pinning his heated gaze on Mitch. “Did you talk to Patrick Andres? He’s from New York and was visiting Sydney. And, if I’m not mistaken, they have a long history.”
“He’s my next visit.”
Jagger shook his head, turning to gaze out the window without really focusing on anything outside. He finally returned his attention to Mitch. “I get that you have to do this and that we’ve been out of touch for a long time. But I don’t hurt, bully, or disrespect women.”
He nodded noncommittally and set down his mug. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“That’s it? You don’t believe me?” Jagger forcefully set his coffee mug down, the black brew sloshing over the edge.
Mitch held his hands out to the side and tried to look apologetic. “It’s just the job.”
“Really?” Jagger’s voice was even, but there was no mistaking his anger and hurt. “You can do that? You can separate the fact we used to be good friends? I thought we were still friends.”
“I can’t let personal—”
“So it’s true what everyone says.”
Mitch gnashed his teeth. He loved being in a small town. And small town talk was often helpful in crime investigation. But he didn’t much like being the subject of talk.
“You’ve lost your soul. You don’t care about anything but yourself.”
That wasn’t exactly true. Mitch cared about his family. But he was certain Jagger was talking about Mitch’s steadfast commitment to keep everyone at a distance. “Don’t leave town.”
“I have to go to New York for a few days next week.”
Mitch stared at him, hoping his expression was stern enough to make him back down, but Jagger held his ground. He didn’t have anything to tie him to the case, and therefore no good reason to keep him from leaving. “Let me know when you go.”
“Yeah, right. You know your way out.” Jagger nodded in the direction of the front door.
Mitch cursed as he got in the car. Although he still kept Jagger on his list, he hated having to put his old friend through this. Grief and stress over his grandfather’s death had clearly worn at Jagger. But sometimes highly charged emotions caused people to do things they might not otherwise do. It was strange how important settling down and finding a wife was to Jagger. Perhaps after a life of rejection from his father, and now losing his grandfather, Jagger snapped when a potential life mate turned him down. It sounded far-fetched, but stranger things had happened. And so, Jagger stayed on the list.
This case shouldn’t be that hard. How many New Yorkers were in Charlotte Tavern?
He swore again as he thought of one more person. Lexie was going to light him up when she found out Mitch had talked to Drake. But Mitch was nothing if not thorough, and so he couldn’t simply dismiss his brother-in-law. And maybe Drake would know something that could help.
Mitch pulled into the driveway and sent a silent prayer that Lexie was out with one of her hospice patients, leaving Drake alone, working in his home office.
“Hey, Mitch. Come on in.”
Mitch had a hard time hiding his guilt as he followed Drake to the kitchen. Then, as if remembering what Mitch had caught him and Lexie doing there, Drake suggested they go out on the sun porch.
“Can I get you coffee or something?” Drake motioned for Mitch to sit on one of the sunny chairs.
Mitch shook his head. “I’ve got to talk to you about an attack that happened last night.”
“Jenny Taggard?” Drake didn’t get as far as he did in business without curating an impenetrable poker face. But he looked genuinely perplexed.
“I have reason to believe Doctor Sydney Preston was the intended victim.”
Drake sat back, but his brows remained furrowed in a puzzled expression. “Is she okay?”
Mitch nodded. “The thing is, Sydney was attacked in a similar fashion at the end of last year in New York.”
It only took a moment for Drake to realize why he was being questioned. “So, whoever attacked the nurse had been in New York at the end of last year. And how many New Yorkers have ever heard of Charlotte Tavern, much less come here.”
“Right. Look I’m sorry, Drake, but—”
Drake waved Mitch’s apology away. “It’s fine, Mitch. It would be worse for both of us if you didn’t come talk to me.”
