Blood in the Water(32)

“Ready for even more bad news?”

She startled at the sound of his voice. “No.” But she dipped her head in agreement anyway.

“If he’s watchin’ you, then he got a real good look at me today. This is only a guess, but if he thinks you’re steppin’ out on him, things are gonna get a whole lot uglier.”

And things were already very ugly.





Chapter Eight



Hours later, Jane came to a difficult conclusion.

In light of the camera found in her place and the scope of Valentine’s obsession with her, Jane had to let her father know about this situation, even if she skirted the truth—his safety was at stake.

Byron had spent the rest of the day with Dixie Mafia matters, while she’d done research on her laptop. Nothing she’d learned about Oscar Valentine set her mind at ease.

This is going to be a hard call. Jane dialed the number with chilled fingertips and waited for what felt like forever.

Jed answered on the third ring. “Well, as I live and breathe, my daughter’s actually callin’ me.”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I should call more often.” Jane sat on the bed in her guest room at Beauregard Manor. Being away from her office and apartment was disconcerting, but hearing Jed’s familiar voice cheered her up.

“I’m just glad you did, so I’ll save the fatherly guilt trip for another time. You sound down in the mouth. What’s goin’ on?”

She might as well get it over with. “There’s been a security threat against me, but it might, er, spill over to you. I wanted to warn you, just to be safe.”

“What kind of threat?”

“A serious one.”

“Who threatened you?” His voice was sharp. “Tell me and I’ll—”

“I appreciation the bluster.” Jane laughed softly. “You know I can’t tell.”

“Damnation.” She heard an unmistakable paper shuffling sound. When Jed was upset, he cleared off his desk. “Are you takin’ precautions?”

“Yes, I’m covered, but I’m worried about you.”

“I appreciate the concern, honey, but I got me a loaded .45 I keep under my pillow. I work in a federal courthouse behind metal detectors and law enforcement officers, so I’m fine. Who’s in charge of your protection detail? FBI?”

Telling Judge Hunter his only daughter was being guarded by a notorious mobster would start off a bad chain of events, so she side-stepped the question.

“I’ve got my very own bodyguard. And the gun’s a good starting point, but this situation calls for more firepower. I hope you don’t mind, but I called in Hank.”

Hank Blackstock, a marshal, was a friend of the family and protected her father a couple of years ago during a domestic terrorist case her father had adjudicated. He’d also handled a disgruntled defendant a few months ago, off the books. The marshal hadn’t asked many questions, and Jane had offered him a favor in return, in case he ever needed an attorney.

“Instead of a formal request?” The Marshal Service was in charge of protecting federal judges.

“Yes, this is another off the books sort of situation.”

“And now I’m even more worried. I don’t like this one bit.” Then he swore under his breath. “It’s Valentine, isn’t it?”

“I can’t discuss it.”

He paused for a long moment.

“Are you still there?”

“Yes, but I’m talkin’ as your father now, not the federal judge. Defend yourself.”

“I am.”

“No, I mean really defend yourself—to the death if necessary. You got the pistol I bought you for your eighteenth birthday?”

Jed was an avid hunter and Second Amendment enthusiast, and he’d bought her a gun for protection. Other than the preliminary shooting lessons he’d given her, she’d never used it, aside from keeping it oiled and cleaned. The weapon was still in its original box in one of her closets.

“Yes, but I haven’t practiced with it in years.”

“We can remedy the situation. The agent who’s protectin’ you can give you a refresher course. Make him take you to the gun range on 12th Street, so you can get comfortable with it again.”

“I’ll think about it.” Although, Jane had no intention of getting into a standoff with Valentine. She didn’t want any more bloodshed. Surely, she could solve this through the court system.

And then he sucked in a breath. “Jane, you could use the Castle Doctrine.”

Jed was referring to the recently passed Stand Your Ground Law which allows the use of deadly force to fend off an intruder.

“It isn’t going to come to such an extreme measure.” Even the thought of Valentine in her apartment again gave her chills.