IF I FAIL Read online

  “Mine too.”

  “How’re the cases going?”

  “We made an arrest in the Wagner case. It’s solid. When cornered he confessed, plus we have physical evidence. The Adams case we’re still waiting on some new lab tests. You know the game, hurry up and wait.”

  “We’ll have to celebrate when I get home.”

  “Okay, see you Saturday.” Neither wanted to hang up; he heard the exhaustion in her voice. He made his good-byes and hung up the phone, wondering what the deal was with her father. Once again, he was reminded of how little he knew about her.

  A long couple of days, he thought. He couldn’t believe the emptiness he felt inside.

  *

  He made the reservations for seven-thirty on Saturday night. Late for Louie and Sophia—he hedged his bets—hoping Mia would get back in town by then to join them.

  He didn’t fool them either. They knew why he picked Woodbury, and the time, so they went along. They were happy to see Jake finally involved with someone.

  The waiter had just arrived with their dinners when Jake’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the caller ID and then excused himself. Once out of the main dining room, he answered his phone.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi, is it too late to join you?”

  “No. Did you eat?”

  “No, I didn’t have time. I’ll just have dessert with you, don’t fuss.”

  “It’s no fuss, you want steak or fish?”

  “Steak’s good,” she said.

  “How long before you get here?”

  “About fifteen minutes.”

  “Good. I’ll put the order in now. It should be ready when you get here.”

  “Thanks, I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Hurry.”

  Jake walked back to the table with a huge grin on his face. Sophia elbowed Louie.

  “Yeah, yeah, I see it.”

  “Oh, Louie, you’re such a romantic.” Jake sat back down.

  Sophia said, “So how is she?”

  “Great, she’ll be here in about fifteen minutes to join us.” He motioned for the waiter.

  “Awesome.”

  “Can I help you, sir?”

  “Yes, I’d like a filet, done medium with a baked potato, asparagus on the side,” Jake ordered.

  “Is there something wrong with your dinner, sir?” he asked, concerned.

  “No, we have another guest joining us shortly.”

  “Fine, I’ll put the order right in. Can I get you anything else?”

  “No, thanks,” Sophia answered for all.

  *

  When Mia walked in, she took Jake’s breath away. She wore a royal blue silk blouse with matching pants. The color set off her eyes and hair. She also wore the strappy high heel shoes she seemed to live in. Not only did Jake stare at her, so did the other patrons.

  Under his breath, Louie said, “Wow.” Sophia elbowed him again. “What, don’t you agree? Wow,” he said again.

  “Yes, I do,” Sophia said.

  Jake stood, greeting her with a kiss, and held out her chair. As soon as she was seated, the waiter appeared at her arm.

  “May I get you a drink?”

  “Yes, Three Olives Cherry Vodka, with some seltzer,” she answered, looking back at Jake. She took his hand, smiled, and turned to greet Louie and Sophia. “I haven’t seen the two of you since the party. How are you?”

  “Great. How’d it go in New York?” Sophia asked.

  “They want me,” she said with a smile.

  “I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want you.” Louie said, “What?” when Sophia elbowed him again.

  “It’s a good thing I know you love me, Louie, or you’d be mincemeat right now.” Sophia laughed.

  They all finished their dinners. Mia offered to serve dessert at her house.

  “I can’t believe we’re not going home. We have the house to ourselves until noon tomorrow. Remember? No kids.”

  “Don’t worry, Louie, we’re still going to celebrate when we get home. I’m not going to pass up a chance to see Mia’s house.”

  Jake had decided earlier to ride with Louie and Sophia to the restaurant, hoping Mia showed up.

  “I don’t have my car you know,” he said.

  “I figured it out back at the restaurant, Jake.” She smiled at him.

  At Mia’s condo, he climbed out of the passenger seat while Mia unlocked the door leading in from the garage. Then she walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and reached for her suitcases.

  “I’ll get those for you,” Jake said.

  “Thanks, you can put them in the bedroom. I’ll start the coffee.” She headed to the kitchen—Jake headed upstairs.

  He heard Louie and Sophia come in as he started down the stairs. Sophia complimented her decorating. Louie accepted the offer of coffee.

  “This place is great, Mia,” Sophia said.

  “Thanks, I really like it here.”

  “You’re not afraid out here by yourself?”

  “No. No one bothers me,” Mia said.

  “Louie told me about the packages you received. It doesn’t bother you knowing someone’s stalking you?”

  “There’s only been one package.” She looked from Louie to Jake, just as Jake gave Louie the evil eye.

  Jake saw Sophia’s embarrassment, her eyes begging for forgiveness. At the moment, he had none in him.

  “Sophia’s probably referring to the package I found when I left here on Tuesday night, Mia,” Jake said quietly.

  “When were you going to tell me about it?” she asked angrily. Jake couldn’t believe how fast her mood changed.

  “When you got home from New York. I didn’t think you needed the extra stress or the aggravation before you left. I’d already closed the door—I didn’t see the need to wake you.”

  “I’ve spoken to you every night since. Still didn’t see the need to inform me?” Her eyes narrowed in anger.

  “No. I gave everything to Dave Guerrera, the officer who took the first package. He’s been doing extra passes by the condo while you were gone. I planned on speaking with you when you got back tonight. My mistake,” Jake said, defensively.

  Her anger hung thickly in the air. She didn’t take her eyes off Jake. He recognized the look on Mia’s face. Not only had Sophia blown it, he had also.

  “Well, let me tell you, Mr. Carrington, I’m a big girl. One who’s quite capable of taking care of herself. I don’t need anyone making decisions for me. Also, Jake, don’t assume you’re spending the night. Got it?”

  “Clearly,” he replied, hurt. He turned, headed for the door. It would have been a dramatic exit if he hadn’t had to turn and ask Louie and Sophia to join him.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Louie replied.

  “I’m sorry, Mia. I didn’t mean to start anything,” Sophia said.

  “You didn’t. I’m sorry I’m cutting this evening short. Good night.” She walked them to the door, shutting it immediately once they passed through it.

  He stood by the car, waiting for Louie to unlock the door. A stressful ride home, Jake cut Sophia off every time she tried to say something. Jake also cut Louie off when he tried to smooth things between them.

  When they drove up in front of his house, Jake climbed out of Louie’s car, slamming the door behind him. He walked away without a single word to either Sophia or Louie.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  On Sunday, Jake moped around all day. He wanted to call Mia and apologize, but every time he reached for the phone, he got angry with himself. She’s the one being unreasonable, he told himself. He wasn’t trying to run her life. He thought he did her a favor. He also found it hard to forgive her for the way she treated him in front of Louie and Sophia. Mortified, he didn’t know if he’d ever get past it. Tomorrow would be even worse, with Louie trying to comfort him. He’d called three times already this morning, and it wasn’t even noon.

  *

 
Mia woke at ten o’clock, feeling groggy. She hadn’t slept well last night. Her anger at Jake hadn’t abated. How dare he assume he could make decisions for her? She probably overreacted. She knew she embarrassed him in front of his friends. She couldn’t help it; things didn’t go well with her parents on Friday. At dinner, confronted with the presence of her former fiancé, things digressed to the point of no return. The gall of her parents, ambushing her, even now her anger ran hot through her blood.

  The last person she ever wanted to see, no doubt it was her father’s idea of a joke. It couldn’t have been true love because her feelings completely died when he cheated on her. Mia couldn’t believe in the short time she’d been with Jake how alive she felt. Nobody ever made her feel alive inside like this before, especially not Bart. Dinner remained strained when she refused to toe the line with her father.

  “How’s the job going in Connecticut?” Logan Andrews asked his daughter.

  “It’s going fine.” She only answered the questions. She didn’t participate in the conversation.

  “How’s your book going?”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine, that’s it?”

  “Yes.”

  “If it doesn’t excite you, how will it excite anyone else?” Logan baited her.

  She didn’t rise to the bait. “I love my book, Dad. I won’t discuss it with you.”

  “Mia, do not speak to your father so disrespectfully, especially in front of company,” Carlee Andrews scolded her daughter.

  “Well, Mom. You invited me to dinner, then ambushed me with Bart.” Turning to Bart, daggers in her eyes, “Why’d you accept the invitation to dinner tonight?”

  “Mia!” Her mother’s voice rose.

  “Bart?” Mia said, ignoring her mother. She knew her father watched the exchange quietly, observing in his famous style.

  “I’m sorry I make you uncomfortable, Mia. I just thought it would be nice to see you again.”

  “Bart, while we were engaged you cheated on me. Did you tell my parents with whom you cheated?” She watched his face turn red.

  “I made a mistake. I guess there’s no forgiveness in you, Mia?” He ignored her question.

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake. Grow up. I can tell by my parents’ face you didn’t bother, so I will. Bart dated, I mean slept with, Cassie all during our engagement. He made me a laughingstock in front of all our friends. So, Dad, you can continue to be friends—employer, employee, I don’t know—just keep him out of my life. He’s a gold digger, nothing more.”

  “I don’t have to sit here and take this.” Bart got up to leave, throwing his napkin on the table.

  “Good night, Bart,” Mia said easily.

  “Are you proud of yourself, Mia?” Logan asked.

  “Yes, are you?” She threw back at him.

  “When are you going to grow up, Mia, see the way of the world? You’re vice president of Andrews Publishing and Enterprises, yet you continue to try to make it on your own. You could have had three best sellers by now. Why don’t you take your rightful place here?”

  “I don’t want anything from you, Dad. You’re not going to run my life like you do Trey’s. He’s miserable and you can’t see it. We have to be what you want, not what we want.”

  “Don’t bring your brother into this. He’s excelling in his position. He has a wonderful family, something you should think about. You’re not getting any younger. Trey also knows where he’s going in life.”

  “Of course he does. You’re the one steering it, he doesn’t have a choice.” She pushed her plate away, staring at her father. “I do.” She was tired of the conversation, the same one they’d had on and off for the last ten years.

  “I’m sorry, Mia. I didn’t know about Bart. He won’t be invited here again. I heard you were in town promoting your book. Is it any good?” Logan changed tactics.

  “Yes, it is, Dad. Which one of your informants called you?” Mia asked, annoyed.

  “Just somebody, it’s not important,” he said casually.

  “Yes, it is, Dad. See, it’s things like this you don’t get.” She got up, went to her mother, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and walked out.

  *

  Mia’s phone rang, bringing her back to the present. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Mia, you okay? You sound out of it.” said Piper.

  “I’m fine, Piper. What’s up?”

  “Nothing, I hadn’t heard from you this week. You weren’t at church this morning, so I figured I’d give you a call, see how you are. How’s the new guy?”

  “It’s over with him. I got back into town late last night, Piper. I’m exhausted can I call you during the week?” Not in the mood to talk to anyone, it showed in her voice.

  “Oh, sure, sorry I bothered you,” Piper snipped.

  “You didn’t bother me, Piper. I’m just tired. I’ll call you by Tuesday, okay?”

  “Okay, Mia. Get some rest.”

  Mia hung up and cried. She didn’t understand it. She didn’t cry when she found out Bart cheated, why would losing Jake make her hurt so much?

  *

  Working on his report when Louie let himself into his office, Jake looked up. “What’s up, Louie?”

  “Are you okay, Jake? I called you all day yesterday. Why didn’t you answer?”

  “I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, Louie. I still don’t want to talk about it,” Jake said firmly.

  “Okay, I’m here if you change your mind,” Louie said awkwardly.

  “Thanks, Louie, I know.” The phone rang. Finally. Hoping his results from the lab on the DNA testing were in, he checked the caller ID.

  “Hi, Lieutenant Carrington, this is Joanne Gale from the UConn Medical Center. I have your results.”

  “Hi Joanne, thanks. What are they?”

  “I’m sending you an email now. I know you wanted them rushed,” Joanne said.

  Driving me nuts here, get to the point. He understood patience was the key here, so again he fought for control. “Thanks, Joanne, what are they?”

  “Both samples match the samples taken from the car,” she said.

  “Both?” Jake asked surprised.

  “Yes, both.”

  “What sample matched who?”

  “The hair fibers matched Jeff Adams. The skin cells, saliva, and sweat matched Lola Adams.”

  “Okay, thanks again, Joanne. When should I see the email?”

  “It should be there now, I sent it twenty minutes ago.”

  Louie listened to Jake’s side of the conversation, trying to fill in the other half. Jake printed out two copies of the report, handing Louie one, filling him in on his conversation with the lab tech.

  “What do you think, Louie? According to Chief Beau, he verified Jeff Adams’ schedule with his boss for said weekend. He couldn’t be in two places at once.”

  “Do you think Lola planted it there to incriminate him?”

  “I don’t know what to think. I know we’re going to be heading down to Florida within the next couple of hours to see for ourselves. I’m going in to talk with the captain.” Jake got up from his chair and started out of the office, when Louie answered.

  “Okay, I’ll start the paperwork on the request for flights.” He grabbed Jake’s arm before he could leave the office. “Jake, please give Mia a call and straighten things out.”

  “Let it be, Louie.”

  Jake explained everything to the captain. McGuire asked, “Are you going to call Chief Taylor and explain the results?”

  “I don’t know, Shamus. He said he interviewed the manager at the restaurant where Adams worked. He verified his work schedule for the weekend of the sixteenth. What do you think?”

  “I think you and Louie should fly out today and talk to the Chief in person and re-interview the manager. I’ll get the paperwork ready for extradition. Have Katrina take care of the flight and hotel scheduling.”

  “Thanks, Shamus.”

  *

  They landed in Jacksonville and w
ere greeted with temperatures in the nineties; back home they were still in the seventies, even this late in June. They rented a car, driving directly over to Neptune without any stops until they reached the police station. The receptionist/dispatcher seemed surprised to see them.

  “Hi, Lieutenant,” she said in her southern drawl. “You look like you sound.”

  “Is that good or bad?” Jake asked.

  She laughed. “Definitely good.” Shifting back to work mode, she said, “Do you want to see the chief? He didn’t say you were expected. Does he know?”

  “No. Things came down so fast we booked our flights and hoped we’d catch the chief before the end of his day. Is he here?”

  “Yes, he’s in his office. I’ll go get him.” She walked down the hallway to get the chief, instead of buzzing him on the intercom.

  Jake took in his surroundings. A bright, pleasant office with windows on one side, and in the door a window created the natural source of light. Sammy’s desk, stacked with files, though neat, housed the switchboard. It sat centered on the desk, so visitors couldn’t see the screen or numbers dialing in. Her computer sat to her left, her phone to the right.

  Jake thought she also looked like she sounded. Cute, a petite blonde, standing no taller than five-three, with full breasts, rounded hips, a curvy figure. In about ten years, if she didn’t watch the scale, she’d be carrying around some extra weight, he thought. Her long hair, cut in layers, swayed with her every movement. It made Jake think of a flirt, her eyes shining with amusement when she checked him out. Jake guessed her to be in her late twenties. She didn’t have a wedding band.

  Beau Taylor followed Sammy back down the hall to greet them. He stood well over six feet. Six-three, in Jake’s estimate, with bleached blond hair, and pale blue eyes. His walk reminded Jake of John Wayne. He looked thin and lanky. Not fooled, Jake saw the biceps peeking out from his shirt sleeves; he figured Beau could handle himself in a fight.

  He grinned, walking toward Jake with his hand out. “You must be Lieutenant Jake Carrington,” he said.

  “How’d you know me from the sergeant here?”

  “Well, I kind of profiled you. You know, Carrington, Irish. The Sergeant, he looks Italian.” He pronounced it Eye-Talian. “Am I right or wrong?”