Deadly Illusions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 3) (16 page)

“I probably don’t,” Emma said. “I’m partially to blame for all of this. I was never happy at any of those jobs, though. I was paid to smile – so I smiled. I was paid to laugh – so I laughed. Can I ask you something else?”

“You might as well,” Andrew said. “I’m still trying to decide what to do with you. You might as well have your answers.”

“When you set the fire at my apartment, did you even think about the other families in the building?”

Andrew balked. “What?”

“Those other families, they were innocent,” Emma said. “I can see some form of retribution on me. What about the innocent people who were in that apartment with me? One of them almost died, you know. And she’s never done anything but help people.”

“I wanted you to know what it was like to lose everything,” Andrew said.

“I knew what that was like even before my father was arrested,” Emma said. “His arrest only cemented that in my mind. That doesn’t explain going after all of those innocent people. They didn’t do anything to you.”

“It’s not like anyone in that building is ever going to amount to anything,” Andrew scoffed. “Those are losers and miscreants.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I
do
know that,” Andrew said. “I know that everyone in that building – including you – is nothing more than a drain on society. They’re not like me. Do you know I have a genius IQ? No? I didn’t think so. Do you know I’m flunking out of my program? Do you think that’s because I’m not smart enough? Do you think that’s because I don’t work hard? No, it’s because I’m haunted. Your father haunts me. You and your … indifference … haunt me.”

“I’m haunted, too.”

“I think you’re just saying that,” Andrew said. “I don’t believe you.”

From his position behind the air-conditioning unit, Finn had a clear view of Andrew. The man had grown more and more belligerent as the conversation progressed. Now, he was fiddling with something in his pocket. Finn had no idea what it was – but he knew it couldn’t be good.

He had to make his move.

“What is that?” Emma asked when she caught sight of the vial in his hand.

“It’s what’s going to fix me,” Andrew said.

“H-h-ow?”

“It’s going to take you out of this world,” Andrew said. “It’s going to cleanse you and, by extension, it’s going to cleanse me. Once you’re gone, I’ll be better. I’ll be able to focus on something else. I’ll be able to get my mind back. I’ll be able to get my life back.”

Finn was moving now. Andrew caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye, turning to face him, but it was too late. Finn was on him, wrestling him to the ground. Andrew clutched the vial to his chest as Finn unloaded, punching him as hard as he could. Finn’s assault was so brutal, at one point he shattered the vial, scattering the liquid all over Andrew’s chest.

Finn jumped back, expecting the caustic liquid to start burning. He figured he could take his shirt off and roll around in the snow to wash it off if he had to.

Only his skin wasn’t burning. Finn lifted his hand up, touching some of the splattered liquid with his finger, and then bringing it to his nose. He felt Emma move in behind him, her body shaking. He held her back with his arm, relishing the warmth of her body as she pressed herself to his back.

“What is it?”

“I think it’s some sort of gasoline mixture,” Finn said, turning his attention back to Andrew.

If Finn’s arrival had taken Andrew by surprise, the loss of his vial was almost more than he could bear. “What did you do?”

Finn really wished he had a gun. Unfortunately, his was locked in the glove compartment of his Escalade. It was too far away to claim now. If he’d been thinking earlier, he would have stopped long enough to grab it. Getting to Emma had been more important.

“I’m not going to let you finish what you came here to do,” Finn said. “You just need to sit there until the police arrive.”

“The police aren’t coming,” Andrew scoffed.

“They are. I called them before I came outside. I wanted to make sure, even if something happened to me, that Emma would be safe.”

“You wanted to protect the daughter of a monster?”

“I wanted to protect the woman I … care about,” Finn corrected. “Lance Pritchard being her father isn’t her fault. You have to realize that. She was a victim, too.”

“Oh, she’s lying.”

“She’s not lying.”

“She’s a lying whore,” Andrew screeched. “She’s a lying whore!”

Finn wanted to hit him again. He wanted to stay close to Emma even more. The sound of booted feet on the snow filled Finn with relief. He glanced up to see two uniformed officers descending on them from either direction.

When they drew near, Finn warned them of Andrew’s predicament. “He had a vial of something. I think it’s flammable. It spilled all over him.”

One of the police officers nodded. “Sir, we’re going to ask you to face the wall and spread your arms out so we can cuff you. When we get you back to the station, we’ll get you out of those clothes.”

Andrew looked like the last thing he wanted was a peaceable surrender. “I’m not going with you.”

“Sir, you have to come with us,” the cop replied. “You’re wanted for questioning by a few different districts.”

“I’m not coming with you,” Andrew repeated.

“Sir … .”

Andrew turned so he could focus on Emma. “You did this. You did all of this.”

“I … .”

“I want you to see what you’ve done.”

Andrew reached into his pocket, rummaging around until he ultimately pulled out a lighter.

“Sir … .”

“I’ll see you in your nightmares,” Andrew said, holding the lighter to the front of his sweater and flicking it, never moving his gaze from Emma’s face.

His sweater ignited almost instantly, swallowing Andrew in a ball of fire. Finn reached for Emma, pulling her to him so he could shelter her face. The fire spread over Andrew quickly, engulfing his entire body. While the flames hid Andrew’s face – his screams were another story. Those echoed throughout the snowy courtyard so everyone in the adjacent apartment buildings had no choice but to listen.

“Oh, God,” Emma moaned.

Finn pulled her tighter to him. “Don’t look, sweetheart. Don’t look.”

Andrew’s screams were primordial, animalistic. The police officers tried to direct him to the half frozen water of the manmade lake, but they couldn’t get close enough to physically prod him.

Andrew flailed about for what seemed like forever, finally collapsing onto the ground. The snow put the flames out from the front. The flames on his back continued to burn until the police shoveled snow on top of him to stop it.

Finn watched, impassive, as one of the officers checked for a pulse. He looked up, meeting Finn’s gaze as he shook his head.

Finn kissed the side of Emma’s face as she sobbed. “It’s over, sweetheart.”

James, Grady, Mandy, and Sophie descended on the apartment complex – everyone in separate vehicles – when news broke of what had happened. The police kept them away until they were done with their questioning, finally relenting and letting everyone reunite in the back of the apartment building.

Emma was a mess.

Finn was glued to her side, never moving his arms as he let her absorb his warmth, swaying from side to side to comfort her.

Mandy and Sophie immediately headed toward her, pulling her away from Finn so they could draw her inside. Her exposed skin was cold – colder than what either woman deemed safe. They loaded her into a warm shower, making her stay there until they were satisfied the scalding water had washed away the chill.

The water wasn’t strong enough to wash away the memories.

Mandy and Sophie helped Emma climb into warm, flannel sleeping pants and a fuzzy sweatshirt, her silence worrying them every step of the way. Even with the warm shower, she was still cold. They combed her hair out, pulled socks on her feet, and finally led her out of the bathroom.

The three Hardy brothers were sitting at the dining-room table drinking coffee and talking in low voices when they emerged.

Finn jumped to his feet. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” Emma said. “I’m just … .”

“You need something to eat,” Mandy announced, moving to the kitchen. “Is there anything in here?”

“I went shopping the other day,” Finn said. “There’s not a lot, but you should be able to put something together for her.”

Mandy rummaged through the refrigerator, pulling out a bag of shredded potatoes, some milk, and a carton of eggs. She grabbed two pans, dumping the potatoes in one before turning back to the counter so she could whip the eggs into an omelet. She pulled a tomato, onions, and cheese out of the refrigerator a few minutes later, and immediately started dicing them.

Finn had forgotten that she could cook. Something about that knowledge made him feel better.

“The police said that they might have more questions tomorrow,” James said. “I think they’re done for today, which is something, I guess.”

Finn nodded, pulling Emma down onto his lap as he settled back into the chair. He needed her next to him and, he had a feeling, she needed the human contact, too. He needed to touch her. He was only hoping that his touches would break through her mute countenance. He brushed her damp hair away from her face and rested his forehead against her cheek. “I figured.”

“We’re giving them access to the boat show footage and the footage Mandy managed to dig up at the courthouse,” James said. “She already called the judge and he cut through the red tape, which makes it a lot easier for us. They should be picking it up there tomorrow.”

“I can’t believe you found it,” Finn said, glancing up at Mandy, who was busily mixing the onion and tomato with the eggs.

“Your brother says I’m like a dog with a bone when I get something in my head,” she said. “I knew I recognized him.”

“I didn’t recognize him,” Emma said, her voice hollow.

“No one blames you for that,” Mandy said, forcing her tone to remain even. “There were so many people going in and out of the courthouse for the trial – and he was older now. There was no way you could have recognized him.”

“Still …  I should have remembered.”

“You remembered the story,” Finn said. “That’s what’s important.”

Sizzling noises emanated from the kitchen as Mandy folded the bowl of eggs into the second pan. “He was unbalanced, Emma,” she said, her back to them. “He didn’t know what he was doing.”

“He knew what he was doing,” Finn growled. “He might’ve been crazy, but he still knew what he was doing.”

“He was a victim,” Emma said. “What happened to him wasn’t his fault.”

“It wasn’t your fault either,” Sophie said, patting her on the arm. “Even if you’d known, there was no way you could have stopped it.”

Emma sighed. “I suppose you’ll be doing a story on this. I saw you taking notes and talking to the police officers outside.”

Sophie bit her lower lip. “I will be doing a story,” she said. “We won’t be releasing your name, though.”

Emma looked up, hope flitting across her face. “Your editor agreed to that?”

“Let’s just say I’ve built up some good will,” Sophie said. “We’ll be reporting on a man who attacked an unnamed woman and then started himself on fire. Nothing more.”

Finn sent Sophie a gracious smile. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For protecting Emma,” Finn replied. “That’s going above and beyond.”

“That’s nothing,” Sophie said. “Emma didn’t do anything wrong. If she doesn’t want to be in the newspaper, she doesn’t have to be. I’ll make sure no one gets her name. The police have already agreed not to release it.”

“I don’t think that’s how it normally works,” Finn said.

“It’s how I work,” Sophie said simply, causing Grady to lean over and give her a long, hard kiss.

Mandy divvied up the eggs and potatoes onto plates, delivering them to everyone at the table.

“There was no bread,” she said apologetically. “I couldn’t make toast.”

Finn glanced up at Emma and smiled. “Emma fed it to the geese.”

Mandy scowled. “Those things are a menace.”

“She likes them.”

“Yeah, well, when you’ve stepped in their big turds thirty times in the same summer, they’re not going to seem so cute. Trust me.”

Since there weren’t enough seats, Mandy settled on James’ lap. The only noise for the next few minutes was the sound of cutlery on plates and intermittent swallows.

“I forgot you could cook,” Finn said. “You and James order out so much, I just thought you couldn’t cook for some reason.”

“I’ve cooked for you before,” Mandy said.

“She can cook breakfast,” James said. “I’ve yet to see her cook anything else that doesn’t come in a can.”

“Oh, from the chicken-and-stars chef, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

James patted her rear. “I’m not complaining. I’d rather you focus your considerable energy on me instead of cooking. We can pay people to cook for us – and they deliver it right to our door.”

“You’re such a man,” Sophie said, giggling.

“Hey,” Grady said. “I cook.”

“You do,” Sophie agreed. “That’s why we don’t starve.”

“When we started dating, she only had frozen dinners in her freezer,” Grady said. “Now I’m the one who cooks.”

“I got him a little chef’s hat,” Sophie said, grinning. “He wears it when he plays chef.”

“Sometimes that’s all I wear,” Grady added.

Sophie reached over and poked him in the ribs. “That’s an over share.”

“I’m going to over share with you tonight,” Grady promised.

Emma started to relax, the easy banter around her lulling her into a place of serenity. When everyone finished, Mandy collected the dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher.

“I think we’re going to be going,” she said. “I think you guys could use some time alone.”

Finn nodded, silently mouthing “thank you” to her as she moved around the table.

“If you guys need takeout, there’s a whole drawer of menus next to the sink,” Mandy said, pausing next to Emma and bending over. “You know, when you get back on your feet, I think we should have another spa day. You really seemed to like the last one.”

Emma’s smile was weak. “That sounds good.”

“James is even going to pay for it again,” Mandy announced, straightening up and fixing him with a mischievous smile.

“I am?”

“You said that you owed me for figuring out the Andrew Wayne stuff,” Mandy reminded him.

“No, I said I would buy you an expensive dinner for that,” James replied.

“Well, I want a spa day.”

James smirked. “Fine. You can have your spa day.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely,” he said. “As soon as we finish playing fireman-saves-the-damsel-in-distress.”

“You’re on.”

ONCE
everyone was gone, Finn settled Emma on the couch. It was still early, but he knew neither one of them was leaving the apartment this evening – and probably the next day either.

“What do you want?” Finn asked, picking up the remote control. “More
Grey’s Anatomy
.”

“Whatever you want is fine.” Her voice was stronger now, and she’d ceased shaking.

“
Grey’s Anatomy
it is.”

“I’m starting to think you’re the one who really likes the show,” Emma said, laughing despite herself.

“I might like it,” Finn agreed, pulling her down so she could rest her head on his chest. He pulled the blanket from the back of the couch and settled it over them. He needed to keep her warm.

“Finn?”

He paused, looking down. “Yeah?”

“I didn’t thank you for saving me again.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“I do. I could have died out there,” she said. “Andrew wanted to kill me. He would have killed me if it weren’t for you.”

“You still don’t have to thank me,” Finn said.

“Why?”

“Because, losing you isn’t something I can deal with,” he replied. “Losing you would be like losing a piece of my own heart. I’m fond of my whole heart. So, no, you don’t have to thank me.”

“I’m going to ask you something, and I’m only going to ask it one more time,” Emma said. “Well, I hope I only ask it one more time.”

Finn waited.

“If you want to go, if you think you want to go, I want you to go now,” she said. “It will just be harder later.”

“I don’t want to go,” Finn said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I want you to be sure.”

“I am sure.”

“Okay.”

Finn turned back to the television. “I really like the Asian doctor. She’s sassy. She reminds me of Mandy.”

Emma tightened her fingers on Finn’s shirt. “She’s my favorite, too.”

“I like that Alex guy, too,” Finn continued, going for normalcy. “He’s got a great attitude.”

“He does. He kind of looks like you.”

“He’s a handsome guy,” Finn said, rubbing his hand over Emma’s back. “You know who I don’t like?”

“Who?”

“Meredith,” Finn said. “Her voice bugs me, and she’s a horrible crier.”

“I get that.”

Finn kissed Emma’s forehead. “You know what else?”

“What?” She loved hearing him talk.

“I’m going to keep telling you that I’m staying as long as you need to hear it,” he said. “Someday, someday soon, I hope you believe it.”

“I want to believe it.”

“Then someday you’ll believe it.”

They were silent for a few minutes, Emma rubbing circles on Finn’s chest while he mimicked the motion on her back.

“Finn?”

“Yeah.”

“I kind of like Meredith,” she admitted.

“Yeah, we’ll talk more about that later,” Finn said. “If you like Meredith, there are few actresses in Mandy’s shark movies you’re going to love.”

Emma sighed as she tightened her arm around Finn’s waist. The day had been horrible. She was sure nightmares would follow. The light that would wash away the dreams was next to her, though, and for that she was thankful.

They had miles to go before they slept – but she wouldn’t be traversing those miles alone now. She was sure of that.

For now, that was enough.