Page 47 of A Soldier's Destiny
“Because of Jasper.” She didn’t know how she would ever thank him. He’d been there for her on two of the worst days in her life. He said he wanted her, that he wasn’t leaving. Had he really meant all the things he’d said to her last night? She needed to talk to him, but it wouldn’t happen until they were alone. For now, she needed that shower. Maybe the heat would help the swelling.
* * *
“How come you didn’t answer Alex’s emails,” Chase demanded as soon as they were alone.
“I didn’t have a chance to read them yet. I was going to do it as soon as we got back from the delivery.”
“He called me when he couldn’t get in touch with you. Alex traced the source of the calls to Cynthia Marshall in Boston. Apparently, she’s Jim’s twin sister. She went off the deep end after he was killed in Paris.”
“If she’s in Boston then she’s not the one causing all the trouble here.”
“Alex is trying to find any connection between Cynthia and anyone local. And he’s still working on trying to ID the guy in the video.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky, and there will be a fingerprint on the brake line.”
“Or he’ll try again. If he meant to kill her, he isn’t done.”
“I know. My gut tells me it’s the guy from the bakery, or that he’s involved somehow. I haven’t had a chance to ask Rori if she’d seen him before. I almost got her killed today.”
“No, you didn’t. There was nothing Alex turned up to indicate they’d tamper with her van. It was pure genius to have her drive into the dumpster. It could have been so much worse.”
“I know. She was terrified when she realized the brakes were shot, but she listened and stayed calm. Did Alex find out anything else?”
“Alex thinks Cynthia is behind it all. She was in a private clinic after Jim’s death, and from the records he dug up, she doesn’t seem too stable.”
“Alex is amazing on the computer.”
“Yeah, which is why I pushed him so hard to come to work for us. I sure as hell don’t want to know how he got private medical info, but I’m glad he did. But because it’s not legal we can’t share it with Ethan and Steele.”
“Understood.”
They continued to discuss plans and options. Jasper was convinced it was the guy from the bakery and he was itching to get his hands on him. He’d managed to get away from Chase and disappear, but he’d bet he was still hiding in town, waiting for his next opportunity.
“I think you both should come stay with us.”
“No, we’re not going anywhere. This is my home.”
The two men turned to the three women standing in the kitchen doorway. They were ex-special teams, and yet the women managed to sneak up on them. Not a good sign at all. “I guess we’re slipping, Chase. They could have taken us out before we knew they were there.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Rori said with a smile. She looked a little better after her shower, but he winced when he looked at her swollen face and eye. He loved that she’d left her long brown curls loose instead of putting them up the way she usually wore her hair.
“I have to agree with Rori. I think we’re better off here, besides I don’t want to bring any trouble your way.”
“It wouldn’t be…Okay, but if anything else happens, I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“If you he-men are done making all the decisions, how about we eat?” Faith said as she pushed past them to get to the stove.
“You made chicken Tetrazzini?”
“Yeah, I figured why not try it. My kitchen skills have improved tons since you’ve been helping.”
“I can vouch for that.”
“No one asked you. Unless you want to feel the burn of this dish I’d suggest you move.” Faith smiled and brushed against Chase as she moved past him. Jasper envied their relationship, well not envy so much as wished for the same with Rori. But if he couldn’t keep her safe he wasn’t worthy of her love.
Dinner was delicious, even though he had no idea what chicken Tetrazzini was, he’d eat it again in a heartbeat.
“Thanks for bringing dinner, Faith. I’m sorry I don’t have anything to offer for dessert. Unless you want to go get something from the bakery? I need to get down there and clean and prep for tomorrow still.”
