Blood in the Water(33)
“You don’t know what the future might hold.”
“My bodyguard will keep me safe.” Byron was deadly, and Valentine would be a fool to take him on.
“Valentine has already murdered a half-dozen young women. It ain’t a stretch to think he might kill your agent and then come after you. Take matters into your own hands and defend yourself.”
Jane gulped.
“And if the son of a bitch is standin’ out in the bushes? Shoot him anyway and drag his ass over the threshold, you hear me?”
“Dad, I can’t believe you said such a thing.” It shocked a smile out of her. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one in the family who had trouble staying within the constraints of the law.
“What? We both know he wouldn’t be over there to mow the lawn. Everyone knows he’s guilty.”
No, she hadn’t, which was the problem.
“Not in the legal sense.”
“Don’t go all defense attorney on me. Hell, if you killed the bastard, the FBI would throw you an old-fashioned ticker tape parade.”
“I doubt it.” They were much more likely to tie her to a stake and light her up instead.
“I don’t, but if you shoot him and they come after you, I’m your lawyer. Understand me? Ain’t ever been on a defense team, but I’m a damn good trial attorney. Together, we’d kick their asses.”
“Or you’ll be my co-defendant. We just hatched a murder plot.”
Jed snorted with laughter. “We’d get away with it too.”
“The jury wouldn’t know what hit them.” Jane relaxed a little. Talking with Jed usually put things into perspective.
“Listen, you got a lot on your mind right now, but I’d appreciate one of those newfangled text things from you every mornin’ just so I know you’re okay. My assistant taught me how to use it on my new phone.”
Only Jed would call a text message “newfangled.”
“Yes, I’ll text you, and you’ll answer me, so I know you’re safe too, right?”
“It’s a deal. And for the record, I hate bein’ left in the semi-dark over here.”
“There’s no way around it.”
Jed clucked his tongue. “There ought to be such a thing as father-daughter privilege. I’m worried about you, honey.”
“I am too, but I feel better knowing someone’s protecting you.”
“Do everythin’ the FBI says and stay safe, Jane.”
“I will.”
At least, she’d do her very best.
***
Later in the evening, Byron coaxed her into going to dinner with him at Poison Fruit. She didn’t seem as shaken as she had earlier, although Jane was quieter than usual.
As they drove to the winery and bistro, Byron slid a glance at her. She’d changed from her creased pantsuit into a fresh one. If she thought her lawyer look was off-putting, Jane was in for a shock. The straight-laced, buttoned-up, school marm style got him going anyway.
While she’d gone for understated executive, he’d gilded the lily. He wore a brand new charcoal gray Paul Smith he’d picked up in the UK, along with a black and gray checkerboard tie. He’d even polished his black leather Oxfords.
Byron had always been a clotheshorse, and he appreciated a well-fitted suit. All of the men in the outfit wore suits because he liked to project an old-school image. If Byron had to pick a time period to live in, he’d choose the thirties—men wore suits and women got dolled up to go out.
Not that Jane appreciated or even acknowledged his efforts.
And Byron was looking forward to being alone with her—no bikers, no Dixie Mafia business, and no distractions. Well, except for tracking down evidence on murders.
The winery was at the end of town, on five acres which hugged the creek. As they pulled into the drive, they passed hundreds of fruit trees—apples, peaches, and pears—as well as strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry patches. Ten owned the vineyard and restaurant, and it made him a pretty penny, even outside of the underground money laundering operation.
As Byron pulled the SUV into the parking lot, he noticed Vick leaning against the wall of the restaurant, wreathed in shadows. He recognized her familiar features, even in the dim light. An older man stood in front of her, someone Byron didn’t recognize, and they appeared to be having an argument. The man wrapped a hand around her elbow and tugged her toward the parking lot.
Byron put the Escalade in park and removed the keys. He swung them around on his index finger as he studied the pair. Something was definitely up. Vick broke away from him and pressed herself tightly against the wall.
“Head in and get a table, Jane. I gotta handle something.”