Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

“ W hat you’re about to see is highly confidential and could cause us grief if word of it ever got out.” Piper eyed Addie and Maddox. “I need your promise that you will keep this to yourselves,” she added when they remained quiet.

“Okay,” Addie agreed, her gut churning with uncertainty.

Maddox squared his jaw. “Sorry, can’t make any promises until I know what we’re dealing with.”

The air held its breath as Piper looked at Hamilton. Finally, he gave her the okay to continue. She held up the remote and pressed a button.

A picture came on the screen. Addie instantly recognized the elderly woman. “That’s Priscilla Roseman.” She and Jordan were in an office, sitting across from one another.

Maddox turned to face Addie. “Do you know her?”

“She was an Alzheimer’s patient at the same care center with my grandmother and Jordan’s mom.”

Jordan peered into the camera and announced the date of the interview, a little over a year ago. “State your name,” Jordan said.

“Priscilla Marie Roseman.”

“Your birthdate.”

“November 3, 1945.”

“How many children do you have?”

“Four. Two boys and two girls.”

“How many grandchildren?”

Priscilla smiled. “Sixteen and one on the way.”

As the interview progressed, Addie was utterly amazed … floored. The last time she’d seen Priscilla, the poor woman was wearing a hospital gown, being spoon-fed applesauce. The Priscilla on the interview was nicely dressed, well spoken, completely lucid. She spoke of her career as a nurse, how much she missed her late husband, how she was looking forward to leaving the care center and going back to her home, where she planned to take up gardening. Addie looked down and realized she was still holding Maddox’s hand, squeezing it for all it was worth. “Sorry,” she stammered, releasing it. She looked at Piper. “H-how?”

Piper clicked the remote, turning off the TV. Her face had regained some of its color, her eyes shining with pride. “PZT.”

“Jordan gave this woman PZT?” Maddox asked.

“Yes,” Piper answered.

Disapproval sounded in Maddox’s voice. “But the drug hasn’t been submitted to the FDA, much less approved.”

Hamilton touched his glasses. “Hence the risk in showing you the video.”

Piper’s face glowed with an inner light. “Jordan knew what PZT could do. He knew the lives that could be changed by it. He felt like it was an atrocity to sit back and watch people waste away when the cure was right there.”

“So, he tested it on the patients at the care center,” Maddox inserted.

“Not all the patients,” Piper said, a touch of impatience in her voice. “Just those he felt would be good candidates.” Her voice grew tremulous. “I only wish he’d developed PZT in time to save my mother.” Her eyes locked with Addie’s. “Or your grandmother.”

A rush of emotion rose in Addie’s chest. How many times had she prayed that Gram would be healed? To think that the cure was just around the corner. Sadly, not in time to help Gram. The irony carved through her like a scalding knife. Even though Gram’s life had been taken by cancer, it would have been miraculous if she could’ve known her family in the end. If she could’ve known how much she was loved.

Regret sounded in Piper’s voice. “To answer your question, I think Jordan asked you to forgive him because he wasn’t able to save your grandmother.”

Tears sprang to Addie’s eyes, and she was unable to stop them from spilling down her cheeks. Understanding flowed between her and Piper. Just like that, Addie realized what was driving Jordan—why he refused to wait until PZT could be put on the market. Even if one life could be saved, it was worth the risk.

“While I don’t agree with Jordan’s methods of trying to bypass the system,” Piper continued, “I also know the good PZT can do. That’s why I’m pushing so hard to get it on the market, so that it’ll be available to all people who suffer from this terrible disease.” She looked at Addie. “I’m just sorry that you got caught in the crossfire.”

Maddox let out a breath. “All right. That helps answer a lot of questions. We need to find what the key goes to, so we can put an end to this thing once and for all.” He held out his hand. “The key please.”

Addie realized then that she’d handed the key over to Piper for examination and hadn’t gotten it back.

“I’ll hold onto it for safe keeping,” he added.

For a second, Piper looked like she might argue but instead gave him a strained smile. “Of course.” She handed it over. Addie could tell it was hard for Piper to trust Maddox, which was understandable considering they’d only just met.

“Maddox may look like your everyday piece of eye candy,” Addie joked, “but I can assure you, he’s very capable and can be trusted implicitly.”

Maddox jerked, a surprised smile creeping over his lips. “Wow, I don’t believe it. Addie Spencer just gave me a compliment.”

Addie laughed. “Don’t let it go to your head.” She saw the startled look on Hamilton’s face, which made the situation even funnier. His brows shot down like he was about to reprimand Addie for telling a joke. She had the ridiculous urge to burst out laughing. She looked sideways at Maddox. Amusement lit his eyes as they shared the moment.

Hamilton stood, offering a stiff bow. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting with the funeral director in an hour.” He looked at Addie and Maddox. “I trust you’ll be attending Jordan’s funeral next Wednesday?”

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Addie said speaking for them both.

“Very well. Good day.” He turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

Addie felt sorry for him. He was so robotic and socially awkward.

Maddox brought his hands together, his tone becoming all business. “Okay, we need to find out what the key goes to.”

“I’ll get my computer,” Piper said, “and look up storage locations.”

His lips pressed together in a determined line. “All right. No time like the present.”

Maddox looked out the car window at the passing trees ablaze with the crisp, tawny colors of fall. His gaze traveled up to the clear blue sky touched with tufts of stringy white clouds. The storm the night before had left everything fresh and clean.

Addie chuckled. “Look at you … salivating over the landscape. I’ll bet you wish you had your camera right now.”

“It would be nice,” he agreed, “under a different set of circumstances.”

“Yeah, if we weren’t on some wild goose chase to find out what the key goes to. Or if someone weren’t trying to kidnap me … or worse.” She shuddered.

He touched her arm, the familiar zing racing through him when their skin touched. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave your side until this is over. Promise.”

Addie gave him an appreciative smile before turning her full attention back to the road. She tightened her hold on the steering wheel. “Do you really think it could be that simple? That the key goes to Jordan’s storage facility?”

“We can only hope.” His thoughts went back to the conversation with Piper and Hamilton. “What’s your take on the things Piper said about Jordan?”

“Which part?”

“The part where she said he was trying to sell the drug formula to Barrett Medical?” His question was met with silence, making him wonder if she was going to answer.

“To tell you the truth, I’m not sure what to think. Does it sound like the Jordan I knew? No, not in the least.” Her voice hardened. “Then again, my two closest friends were having major marital problems, and neither of them breathed a word of it. What do I know?” She glanced at him. “What’s your take?”

“Everything Piper and her father said sounded plausible. It corroborates what we know about Jordan—that he’d been to a divorce attorney.”

“It fits with the things Jordan said, how Piper didn’t understand and why Jordan asked for my forgiveness.” There was a glum note in her voice.

“I’m sorry about your grandmother. I can only imagine how hard it must’ve been to see that video of the Alzheimer’s patient—to think your grandmother could’ve been cured.”

She gave him a sad smile. “Yes, it was hard.” She let out a half-laugh. “Crazy, but I found myself feeling jealous of Priscilla Roseman when I watched that video.” Her voice hitched. “At the end of the day though, I’m happy for her. She has her life back, knows who she is, knows her children and grandchildren.” She let out a heavy breath. “Regardless of what shortcomings Jordan had in his personal life, I’m grateful that he developed PZT.”

“Interesting, how all three of your lives were brought together by Alzheimer’s.”

“Yes, it is.”

“And, all of the people who had Alzheimer’s died before they could take PZT.”

“Yeah. Sad.” Silence settled between them.

“A penny for your thoughts?”

She gave him a slight smile. “I was thinking about the card on my refrigerator. The one you asked about.”

His interest piqued. “Yes?”

“I was at the care center, visiting Gram.” She paused and took in a shaky breath. “I had just learned that she had cancer and that the prognosis wasn’t good.”

“I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve been through,” he uttered, feeling the urge to put his arms around her and pull her close.

“Thanks,” she said mechanically, resuming her narrative. “Gram was lying in her bed. I was sitting beside her, praying and shedding a few tears, when I felt a tug on my arm.” She laughed softly. “I looked, surprised to see a little girl standing in front of me. She had these big brown eyes that seemed like they could see into your soul, her hair in braids. She never said a word, simply smiled and handed me the card before bounding out of the room. I looked down and read the message—Be Happy.” Her voice caught. “I knew in some inexplicable way that my prayer had been answered by that little girl. Later, I found out the girl was there with her mother. Priscilla Roseman is her grandmother.”

A tear slipped down Addie’s cheek. She wiped it with the palm of her hand, a self-conscious laugh issuing from her throat. “I’m glad that Priscilla now knows what a wonderful granddaughter she has.” Addie took in a deep breath and shot Maddox a brief smile, shrugging her shoulders. “Now you know the rest of the story.”

“Thank you for sharing that,” he said quietly. Addie was truly one in a million. No wonder he’d fallen so hard, so fast for her. There was so much he wanted to say to her right now. He wanted to take her by the arms and shake some sense into her—make her realize that the two of them were meant for one another. Make her realize that he still loved her, had never stopped loving her. That she consumed nearly his every thought. “Hey, I want you to know that regardless of what happened between us in the past, I’m glad I’m here with you.”

Her expression was unreadable as she stared at the road ahead of them. “Thanks.”

He got the feeling that his words had fallen flat.

She drew in a deep breath as if trying to bottle up her emotion. He’d gotten a glimpse into her soul and now the dark curtains had been pulled over the window. She was once again the tough, capable, take-crap-off-no-one girl. Heck, he loved that aspect of Addie too. She looked in the rearview mirror at Piper who was following them. Maddox glanced in the side mirror to make sure no one was tailing Piper. All seemed to be okay...for now. After Piper got out her laptop, it had taken less than fifteen minutes to track down the unit. There were several storage locations near Birchwood Springs. Putting the phone on speaker, Piper called all of them saying that she’d received an invoice for Jordan Phelps and was calling to question the balance. The first three people had no record of Jordan Phelps. On the fourth call, however, they hit pay dirt. The lady on the other end of the phone found Jordan in her system.

“I’m showing that a payment was made a week ago. The account is current.”

“Then why did I get an outstanding invoice?” Piper questioned. “What unit number are you showing in your system?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Ah, this invoice is for forty-three. It must’ve been sent to me in error. I’ll just shred it. Thanks,” she clipped, ending the call.

Feeling his gaze, Addie looked his direction. “What?”

The mood between them was way too somber. Maddox had to do something to lighten it. “I was just thinking, it was around the same time last year when we traveled down this very road to the trailhead where we hiked. Remember?”

“How could I forget?” She chuckled. “Hiking is a loose term though. We mostly walked, while you snapped pictures of the landscape and every animal that moved.”

He laughed. “If I’m remembering correctly, we also made time for a few other things,” he said in a low, husky tone. “We gathered around that cozy fire, sitting so close you couldn’t wedge a sheet of paper between us. Quite similar to what occurred this morning, actually.” A grin tugged at his lips. “You were the first to kiss me then too.”

Color fanned her cheeks. “No, you’ve got it wrong. I distinctly remember you kissing me first,” she grumbled. “At any rate, I thought Southern gentlemen weren’t supposed to call attention to those types of things.”

He ignored her smart remark. “Of course, it was more than just kissing around the fire.” He drank in her profile—dainty nose, chin set in iron determination, full rosy lips, tangles of brown ringlets spilling over her shoulders. Her slender hands were gripping the steering wheel with a vengeance, and the stormy look on her face told him it would only be a matter of seconds before her temper blew. “There was some hugging involved, a little necking …”

“Stop!” She shoved him hard, the motion causing the car to weave onto the shoulder of the road, the warning hum of the textured asphalt reverberating loudly against the tires.

“Whoa, Nellie!” Maddox yelled, holding onto the dash.

Addie clutched the wheel, correcting her mistake, as she swerved back into their lane.

“Are you trying to kill us?”

“You started it,” Addie sulked.

“I was just playing around. I didn’t expect you to run us off the road.”

“I didn’t,” she said tartly. “We barely went on the shoulder.”

“Barely, huh? That’s an understatement.”

She grunted.

Maddox’s phone buzzed. He fished it out of his pocket.

“Let me guess,” Addie said, her voice loaded with irritation. “It’s Felicity.”

“Nope,” he said pleasantly. “It’s Sutton.” He swiped to answer. “Hello.”

In true Sutton form, his boss launched right into the conversation. “I have some information on the kidnapper.”

Maddox glanced at Addie, could feel the interest radiating off her. “I’m all ears.”

“All right. Thanks for the intel. Heart of a warrior,” Maddox clipped after several minutes, ending the call.

Addie scrunched her nose. “Heart of a warrior?” Her voice had a teasing edge. “What was that about? Kind of has an Indiana Jones meets Braveheart feel to it.”

“Just a phrase we say to each other, it helps us remember our purpose.” Normally, he didn’t mind Addie razzing him, but not about that.

She laughed. “O—kay.” She switched gears. “What did Sutton say?”

“The attacker’s name is John Wilson. He’s from North Dakota, has a long rap sheet that includes burglary, attacking a police officer, and domestic violence. He was contacted on the dark web by an anonymous person who hired him to kidnap you.”

“For what reason?”

“Wilson didn’t know. He was to be given further instructions after he had you in his possession.”

“Great! We’re no closer to finding out who’s behind this than we were before,” Addie spouted.

“Not necessarily. While John Wilson didn’t know the identity of the person who contacted him, he was paid half his fee up front. Get this, the payment was deposited electronically into his bank account.”

“That was stupid. I thought most criminals demanded their money in cash, so it couldn’t be traced.”

He grunted a laugh. “Yeah, you’d think so. I guess Wilson never expected to get caught, and he certainly didn’t anticipate being interrogated by Sutton’s …” he hesitated “… experts.”

“You mean torture specialists,” she said dourly.

“I don’t know what kind of sordid picture you’re conjuring up in your mind, but there are various ways to extract information other than torture, such as truth serum, emotional threats…” a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth “…being dropped in the middle of a foreign country with no money or ID.”

She chuckled dryly. “Call it what you will, but it’s still a version of torture.”

“Hey, don’t knock it. Sutton got us the info we need. Before it landed in Wilson’s account, the money ran through a series of accounts, but Sutton’s IT guys were able to track it to an offshore account owned by Barrett Medical.”

She pursed her lips. “That fits with what Piper said.”

“Yes, it does.”

She flashed a chipper smile. “I told you Piper was on the up-and-up.”

“So far.”

She stuck out her tongue.

“Careful, or I might have to kiss you again,” he murmured, quite pleased with himself when her face turned scarlet. He couldn’t get that kiss they’d had this morning off his mind. After they got back to the cabin this evening, he hoped to finagle another one.

“You really are a moron,” she muttered.

“But a very lovable moron, right?” He gave her a goofy grin.

She laughed and shook her head. “Yeah, sometimes.”

“Okay, back to the serious stuff. The jewelry came up clean.”

“I guess we can check that off the list.” Addie lifted a finger from the steering wheel. “There’s still the bracelet, but if the other jewelry came up clean?—”

“Chances are the bracelet will too,” Maddox finished.

“Exactly.” She hesitated, her lips forming a grim line. “Now for the million-dollar-question. Did Wilson kill Jordan?”

“He claims he didn’t.”

“Does Sutton believe him?”

He tried to think of a way to respond delicately to her question. “Sutton’s interrogators are thorough. I think it’s safe to say that we can bank on the information they gave us.”

“All right,” she finally said, but he could tell from her tight expression that the idea of interrogation didn’t sit well with her. It didn’t sit well with him either, but it was a hard fact of life. Better to interrogate the guilty than to let the innocent suffer.

“Sutton sent a team of investigators to New Jersey to check out Piper and Jordan’s facility. They’ll interview the employees, see if anything unusual turns up.”

She frowned. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“No stone unturned, remember?”

Disapproval coated her voice. “Need I remind you that Piper’s my closest friend? I don’t want her to think I’m checking up on her.”

He tensed. “Need I remind you that my job is to protect you? To do that effectively, I need to know all the angles.”

She thrust out her lower lip in a pout. “Fine. But would you mind telling Sutton to make sure his guys are stealthy about it? I’ve already lost one friend. I don’t want to lose another.”

“I think I can handle that.” Man, she was a fireball, fighting him at every turn. There was another tidbit to his conversation with Sutton that he wasn’t ready to tell Addie. Sutton suggested that it might be beneficial for Maddox to go to New Jersey and question Brent Barrett in person. That way, Maddox could gauge his reaction. Maddox was all for it, but no way was he leaving Addie’s side. She’d have to go along too. He wasn’t sure how she would feel about that. He decided to wait until tonight to broach the subject. First, he wanted to see where this key led.

She frowned. “You know, there’s something about this whole thing I don’t get.”

“What’s that?”

“What does Sutton get out of all this?”

A startled laugh broke through his throat. “Excuse me?”

She shot him an agitated look like she didn’t appreciate him laughing at her question. “Corbin’s my brother. Of course he would feel responsible for me. You’re here because Corbin’s one of your best friends and you want to help him.”

“Yeah, that’s partly true, but I also care about you.” He caught her look of surprise.

“Thanks,” she said, giving him a slow, soft smile that did funny things to his insides. She tightened her hold on the steering wheel. “So, what’s Sutton’s angle? Is Corbin paying him to help me?”

“I don’t know the details of what Corbin worked out with Sutton, but I would venture to say that Sutton’s helping because that’s the type of person he is. Money’s no object for Sutton. He’s a multi-billionaire. Sutton would offer his resources to Corbin out of sheer loyalty.” He could tell from her perplexed expression that she was trying to work that through her head.

A few beats stretched between them before she spoke. “You think a lot of Sutton.”

His response was immediate. “Darn straight I do. It’s a privilege for me and my former SEAL buddies to work for him.”

“You love what you do.”

The forlorn tone of her voice hit him like a truckload of bricks. “Yes,” he finally said, “I do.”

She gave him a resigned smile as she nodded. “I’m glad,” she said softly. He could almost see her pushing him away. While he was trying to think of something he could say to break down the barrier she was erecting, the storage facility came into view.

“Here we are,” Addie said turning onto the road leading to it. “Here’s hoping the key goes to the unit.”

“Indeed.”