Gage (Texas Boudreau Brotherhood #16)

Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“I swear, Ranger, between you and Bas, I’d never take a step outside of the Big House if you had your way.” Suzanna smoothed down her skirt, wondering why she felt so nervous about seeing Elizabeth. She’d barely slept the night before, tossing and turning, the thought of Donald and Elizabeth breaking up saddened her. For the years she’d known them, while things hadn’t always been perfect, she couldn’t imagine Donald seeing another woman. Especially his administrative assistant, Cheryl. She and Elizabeth were polar opposites, both in demeanor and looks.

“Tell me again why Mrs. Blackthorn didn’t want to meet at a restaurant?” Ranger’s hands on the steering wheel were relaxed as he drove through downtown Dallas traffic, headed for Highland Park and the Blackthorn home. Elizabeth had asked Suzanna to meet at her house, saying it would give them some much-needed privacy to talk about Donald and his paramour.

“Elizabeth and her husband are having a few personal problems, and she said she’d feel more comfortable if we discussed things without public scrutiny.

“Ah, she thinks he’s having an affair.”

“How’d you figure that out?”

Ranger huffed out a brief chuckle. “Not my first rodeo. I’ve worked for Carpenter Security Services for a long time. We not only protect people, we have to do investigative work for our clients. Cheating spouses isn’t just a cliché. You’d be surprised how many men step out on their wives…and vice versa.”

“That’s sad. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I believe in happily ever after.” As soon as she said it, Suzanna’s thoughts went to Gage. Not Steven. And that saddened her, because she knew that while she’d probably have stayed married to Steven for the rest of her life, it wouldn’t have been the soul mate, bound by eternal love match that she’d secretly craved. When she thought about Steven, it was with a fondness of shared friendship, not the soul-stealing passion where you couldn’t stand to be apart from the person you loved.

Ranger smiled, the look of tenderness and yearning on his face apparent. “I believe in happily ever after too. I’m in it for the long haul with my Sarah. We had a bit of a rough start, and, yes, I was a jackass, but I realized she was the love of my life. Still is.”

“I’m glad you found your one-and-only. Most of us don’t.”

They drove in silence for a few more miles, finally pulling into the massive driveway of the Blackthorn home. Though she’d been there just two days before, Suzanna felt a chill come over her when she stared up at the mansion. Call it a premonition, or maybe Ranger’s suspicions rubbing off on her, but she suddenly didn’t want to walk through those doors. She started to tell Ranger she’d changed her mind, but before she could, the front doors were flung open, and Elizabeth stood in the opening, the gaudy backdrop a stark contrast to her black-on-black silk pantsuit.

“I’m telling you, Suzanna, something feels off about this whole lunch meeting. Stay on your toes, and if you get even an inkling of anything squirrely, we are out of there. Got it?”

“Loud and clear.”

Climbing from the SUV, she met Elizabeth at the door.

“I’m so glad you came.” Elizabeth stared at Ranger, and Suzanna knew she was taking in his dark good looks, his military bearing, though she knew Elizabeth couldn’t see the handgun tucked into his waistband, covered by his shirt. Ranger took his bodyguard duty seriously, staying close enough he could react to any threat, yet far enough away to give her the illusion of privacy.

“Elizabeth, this is Ranger Boudreau. He’s my bodyguard. Don’t worry, he’s a professional, and won’t repeat anything he might overhear.”

Elizabeth ushered them into the front parlor, motioning for them to sit. Suzanna did, while Ranger moved to stand by the window, edging the curtain out of the way so he could keep watch outside and still watch the doorway.

“I can’t believe you need a bodyguard. It’s all so James Bond-like. Somebody really tried to kidnap you in New Orleans?”

“Yes. It was terrifying. He pushed his way into my hotel room right as I was leaving. I don’t know if he was lying in wait outside my door, of if he just happened to be there at just the right time. He demanded money. Lots of money.”

“I don’t know what I would have done. You’re always so together, so brave. I’d have fallen to pieces, been a total mess.”

Suzanna’s attention was caught by Ranger, who’d pulled out his phone and typed in a quick text before turning back to the window. “I was scared, but I really didn’t panic until I saw the gun.”

“Gun? He…he might have killed you.” Elizabeth raised her hand to her mouth, eyes wide.

“Luckily, I had somebody show up who was able to save the day. The gun did go off. Luckily, it was only a scratch. Didn’t even need stitches.”

“You were shot? I swear, if that happened to me I’d never leave my house again.”

Suzanna doubted that. Elizabeth was a social person, loved being around others, and being the center of attention at their luncheons and charity events. Knowing her, she’d probably have had the kidnapper working for the committee before the afternoon was over.

“Enough about me. Tell me about you and Donald. What’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s a long story. How about something to drink? I made some sweet tea. Lunch will be ready in about fifteen minutes.”

Standing, she quickly moved to a sideboard where a large crystal pitcher filled with sweet iced tea sat, along with matching glasses filled with ice. Pouring three glasses, she passed one to Suzanna and one to Ranger, before taking the final one for herself, and resuming her seat.

“Thank you. Please, tell me about you. I’ve been so worried, ever since you told me yesterday that you think Donald is having an affair. What makes you think he’s cheating on you?” Suzanna raised the glass to her mouth, taking a sip. It was cold and really sweet, far sweeter than she liked, but she drank it anyway, not wanting to hurt Elizabeth’s feelings. From the corner of her eye she saw Ranger take a drink, grimacing at the taste. Yeah, she thought, it’s too sweet for him too.

“I saw them together. At the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Dallas. They didn’t see me. I had a lunch meeting with Ellen Bishop. Donald told me he’d be in the office the entire day. Why else would he be at a hotel in the middle of the afternoon, with his skanky assistant, if he wasn’t sleeping with her.”

“There could be another reason, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Maybe it was an unexpected meeting with a client. That happens. Steven got called to meetings outside of the office all the time, and I know he wasn’t sleeping with anybody else.”

“It wasn’t just that. There are charges on the credit cards for things—stuff—like flowers and jewelry. Trust me, he wasn’t giving me jewelry, and that man hasn’t sent me flowers since we got married. Not even on our anniversary. Oh, I take that back, I did get flowers once on Valentine’s Day. I think that was only because you and Steven were coming over to dinner, and he didn’t want to look bad.”

“That’s still not…not…proof.” Suzanna blinked at the sudden brightness in the room. And was she slurring her words together? She looked over at Ranger and saw him sway, grabbing at the drapes as he fell forward. “Elizabeth?”

“Would you pass out already? Here drink a little more.” She thrust the tea glass against Suzanna’s lips, forcing more of the sweet concoction into her mouth. With the glass against her lips, she had no choice but to swallow. She blinked once, twice, and then her lids refused to open and all she saw was blackness.

Once back in Shiloh Springs, Gage headed directly for Rafe’s office. He’d spent the entire ride back from Austin studying the evidence Sandoval gave him. It was definitive proof that Suzanna did not kill Steven Dawkins. She couldn’t have, she’d been drugged, dosed with a powerful sedative. So had Steven. He’d probably never woken up, even when his throat was slit. Explained the lack of defensive wounds.

Sandoval had given him printouts of everything he’d said, along with a flash drive. Gage wanted to see what was on there, but right now he needed to let Rafe know he was safe and sound. Then he’d call Detective Jansen and share the good news with him that there was enough evidence to arrest Donald Blackthorn for Steven’s murder, and to exonerate Suzanna of any wrongdoing in her husband’s death.

The limo let him out in front of Daisy’s place, right by his rental car. While he hated to be indebted to Sandoval, for once he was grateful to the man. Felt bad that he was dying, but at least he was trying to do the right thing as one of his final acts. Didn’t excuse all the horrible, monstrous things he’d done on clawing his way to the top of the heap, but this one counted in Gage’s book.

He’d started toward Rafe’s office when his phone rang. Caller ID said it was Bas.

“Hey, Bas, what’s up?”

“Gage, you hear anything from Ranger?”

A twitch started in the pit of his stomach. “Not since he left with Suzanna, headed toward Dallas. Why?”

“He sent me a weird text a little while ago. I was helping Douglas with something and didn’t see it until a couple minutes ago.”

“Weird how?”

“Said they weren’t going to a restaurant for lunch. They were going to Blackthorn’s house instead. He didn’t like it, but couldn’t convince Suzanna it wasn’t a good idea. I’ve been calling and he’s not answering.”

Gage closed his eyes and leaned against the brick wall at his back, a wave of hopelessness shooting through him. Blackthorn had already made one attempt on her in New Orleans, there was proof of that in the files Sandoval gave him. Now she was almost two hundred miles away, and there was no way he’d get there in time. If Blackthorn got his hands on her…

“Gage! Gage, answer me!”

“I’m here. Listen, I’m leaving now, heading for Dallas. I found out Blackthorn is the one who killed Suzanna’s husband. I’ve got proof. I have to get there. If Blackthorn gets his hands on Suzanna, he’s going to kill her.”

“You’re not going without me.” Bas’ words were emphatic, brooking no argument. Gage knew he’d simply get in a car and head toward Dallas, and at least if they went together, they could come up with a plan and not rush in like bumbling fools.

“I’m already on my way. Be out front of the Big House when I get there, or I’m leaving without you.”

Disconnecting the call, he sprinted back toward his car, and headed for the Boudreau ranch, praying that he wouldn’t be too late to save Suzanna.

“Please tell me you’re on your way home.” Her voice was filled with a high-pitched nervousness, the sound always grating on his nerves.

“I’m almost there.” Blackthorn tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, silently cursing the red light. He’d run the blasted thing if he wasn’t afraid of getting caught. They were so close to getting everything they ever wanted, he wasn’t about to let a stupid traffic signal screw things up.

“She tried to fight the drugs. But she’s out like a light now. I just can’t move her by myself.”

“What about the bodyguard?” The quiet on the other end of the phone line scared him. Please don’t let her have screwed everything up, not at this point. “Elizabeth, my love, what did you do with his body?”

She sighed. “He’s on the floor behind the credenza. That’s as far as I could drag him. The guy is huge. I gave him a double dose, which is more than enough to kill him. You’ll have to move the body once we’ve finished with Suzanna.”

“Nobody’s around to see us?” He’d given her strict instructions to give the staff the next few days off, but she’d become forgetful lately. Probably had a lot to do with the tranquilizers he’d been slipping into her nightly cocktail. She had no idea she would be joining Suzanna in eternal slumber. Taking them both out at the same time was a stroke of genius. Suzanna would die from a gunshot wound inflicted by his darling wife, and Elizabeth would quickly follow, overcome with remorse over killing her best friend.

Leaving Donald to roll around on the piles of money the microchips would bring in to Dawkins, Inc. All that lovely, lovely money would be his. And Dawkins, Inc. too.

Of course, he hadn’t counted on the bodyguard, but he’d rectify that problem. Steven wasn’t the only one who could think on his feet.

Steven. He’d promised Donald an equal share in the company, but he’d never fulfilled that promise. No, he’d married that blonde bimbo, and changed his will, leaving controlling interest to her. Of course, Donald would have killed him anyway once it was discovered how much money the particle light microchips would bring in. Steven already had more money than he could spend. Why should he get a larger share of the pie, or better yet, the whole pie? Donald had worked harder than anyone on this project, had been the one to find Sandoval and bring him on board. Who cared that Sandoval’s company was dirty? Enough money would change hands between Donald and Sandoval to keep Sandoval and company happy.

And Sandoval’s dirty reputation had been the impetus for Donald to devise this whole scheme of taking out Steven. Finding somebody to do the job had been easier than he’d anticipated. He’d found somebody who’d been double-crossed by Sandoval in the past and gotten the name and contact info of a bonafide killer. If anybody found out who it was, after the fact, Donald had laid the groundwork to make it look like Sandoval had hired the murderer. Nobody would suspect poor old Donald. He was too meek and frail too ever pull off anything like murdering his partner, his partner’s wife, and then his own wife.

“Donald, are you listening to me?”

“Of course, my love. I’m pulling into the drive now. We’re almost done, with nobody the wiser. Soon we’ll be richer than anybody in Dallas. You’ll see, everything is going to work exactly the way we planned.”

Climbing from the Escalade he’d bought his wife a few months ago, he opened the back, and spread the sheets of plastic, making sure to cover all the carpet. Wouldn’t want any hair or fibers for those pesky CSI types to find.

Drawing in a deep breath, he grinned. Time to get to work.