Mint Juleps and Justice (21 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

S
omehow Brooke’s lawyer was able to snag an opening on the docket for the divorce hearing. She’d been so nervous that something would go wrong that she hadn’t even been able to drink her coffee this morning, but now she was pushing through the revolving door of the Virginia Beach Courthouse with a huge smile of satisfaction on her face. She’d waited so long for this. To have the divorce papers in her hand felt powerful.

She nodded to two men making their way up the walk. “Good afternoon.” She flashed a bright smile.

They nodded in return. Their eyes followed her as they half-continued their conversation, and she saw one of them trip as he misjudged the curb.

She shook her hair from her face as she hopped off the curb, clipping along toward her car parked in the far corner of the packed lot.

Brooke hummed a little tune to the sound of her heels clicking the pavement, accenting the beats by patting the papers in her hand against her stockinged leg. She felt like skipping through the parking lot, but she didn’t want to push her luck and re-sprain her ankle, which would totally ruin her day.

The crepe myrtles in each of the median barriers bobbed in bright shocks of pink. The pavement was littered with the papery flowers that had shaken free from the trees in the storm overnight. Finally, she reached her car. Checking her reflection in the window as she opened the unlocked door, she ran her hand through her hair, then scattered the bangs. There was no taming a hairdo in Virginia humidity, and this spring was dishing up some Indian summer weather. Her hair felt like it was getting bigger by the minute.

She was wearing her favorite Kasper suit. Her
lucky suit
, and it had proved itself again. The soft pink made her lips and cheeks look rosy and her green eyes even greener. She even had on her favorite lucky shoes, pink-and-gray snakeskin pumps. They were old, but the luck hadn’t worn out and she wasn’t about to retire them until it had. She hadn’t taken any chances, right down to wearing her lucky underwear, because one can never be too lucky.

Since Keith was still on probation, and had finally signed the papers days ago, having the court decision in hand put Brooke on top of the world. The nightmare was officially over.

A cardinal skipped between branches in one of the trees in the median. “Cardinal, good luck!” she said out loud. “I love that.” She tossed her purse into the passenger seat, and slid in clutching the papers in her hand. She kissed them and looked to the sky, then hugged them to her chest.

“Thank you, thank you, and thank you!” She let the papers fall to the passenger seat and started the engine. The air-conditioning blew across her face, drying her bangs.

After all this time, she could finally put it behind her. She picked up the divorce papers again, scanning over what she’d already memorized. “I am going to frame you,” she promised the divorce papers. “I’m going to get you the nicest mats and frames that I can find and hang you right up on a wall, where I can smile every time I look at you.” She reached back and pulled her briefcase up.

As she slid the papers inside, a rap on the window startled her. She whirled around, just as the car door flew open. She yelped and her heart pounded as fast as a horse on race day.

A flood of relief washed over her as she recognized the intruder, who had casually positioned himself in her car doorjamb.

“You scared the pudding out of me!” she said, swatting at Mike’s pant leg. “How could you?” Her heart was still pounding like crazy.

“Excuse me. You should be more careful. You’ve already forgotten everything I taught you? What did I tell you about locking your car door?” Mike’s remark was made in fun, but the serious undertones did not go unnoticed.

“Get in the car. Lock the car,” she recited.

Somehow, Mike seemed to appear out of nowhere at the oddest times and today he had perfect timing to share her good news.

“I know, I know, but that’s not fair. You snuck up!” She silently reprimanded herself for forgetting the most simple of caution points.
Get in the car. Lock the car.
Simple as pressing a button. “What are you doing here in Virginia Beach today, anyway?”

“I had to be in court this morning, and I didn’t sneak. I walked right up and opened the door.” He leaned down on one knee, and all six feet three inches of him took up the space of the open door.

“How are you doing?” she asked. “I’ve been so worried about you since the news.” She watched the cloud replace the smile in his eyes.

“I’m fine. Dealing with it,” he said.

Brooke could almost see his gears switch. He had no intention of talking about that with her. “I saw you trip that guy back there, by the way.”

“I didn’t trip anybody.”

“Not physically, but it was your fault. That guy was staring at you when he tripped up the curb.”

“Hey, that’s what he gets for staring. I’m innocent.” She laughed, shutting down the engine of the car. Mike always smelled good. He looked good, too, in a pair of khakis and a blue dress shirt. “I’m so happy I could just bust. Can you believe my divorce is really final? I swear I should have you pinch me so I know that it’s real.”

Her smile was irresistible. Mike caught her lips in an unplanned kiss. She was about the only good thing in his life right now, but that didn’t change what he knew he had to do.

“Wow. What a day,” she said, pressing her fingers to her lips then smiling.

He released her. “I love it when you smile.”

“You are part of the reason for this big silly grin. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” she said. “I’m lucky to have you in my life.”

“Just think, if you had decided not to hire me before Keith tried that little stunt, no telling what would’ve happened. We may have never crossed paths again.”
And maybe I wouldn’t be in this position right now.

Brooke put her hand up. “Enough about me. More importantly, how are you doing?”

“Want to talk about that over coffee?” Mike asked with hope. Perhaps he’d be able to talk to her in person.

“I’m due back at the office.” She checked her watch. “In fact, I’m running late. Can I get a rain check?”

“Those rain checks are stacking up. You just give me a yell when things settle down for you. Oh, and remember—get in the car, lock the car. No exceptions.”

“Yes, sir.” She gave him a wink.

“I’m not kidding, Brooke. Be careful.” She had no idea how worried he was about her right now. With Goto out and about there was just no telling what might happen. The system might think that guy was ready to be in society, but Mike knew that monster wasn’t rehabilitated. No way. Not someone that damn sick.

She smiled like all was good in her little world. “You’d think I’d have already learned that the hard way.”

Mike stood to his full height, and stepped back from the car.

Brooke met his gaze. “Thanks for sharing my celebration. It’s good to see you today.” She held her hand to shade her eyes to look at him as he stepped away from the car out into the sun.

“Drive careful.” He stepped up on the landscaped median as she revved up the engine on the Corvette and pulled slowly out of the parking lot.

Mike made a motion with his hand for her to lock the door. She shrugged her shoulders, pushed the button to lock the doors, and signaled an okay sign.

Mike gave her the thumbs-up sign and waved her off.

W
ith Mike still in her rearview mirror, she grabbed her cell phone and punched Jenny’s number on speed dial. She picked up on the second ring.

“You’re the second to know,” Brooke said. “It’s a done deal. Keith didn’t get a thing!”

“Oh, Brooke, that’s great. You must be so relieved. Wait a sec. Why am I not the
first
to know?”

“Mike caught me in the parking lot at the courthouse.”

“Of course he did. That guy shows up everywhere. He better not try to take my best friend status. I’ll kick his ass,” said Jenny.

“Not a chance. You and I know so much about each other. We
have
to be best friends. We have too much blackmail material on each other.”

“Brooke, darling, I hate to dash your self-esteem, but you’ve never done anything that scandalous that was worth blackmailing.”

“Be nice. This is my day. Don’t be raining on it.”

“You’re right. Sorry. Congratulations. Good riddance to Keith. Now you have no excuses to not get serious with Mike,” Jenny said.

“It wouldn’t be so awful to be alone for a while.” But in her heart she knew she didn’t mean that.

“You’ve been alone for too long already. Let go, girl. You can’t always be in control of everything. No risk, no fun.”

“Aren’t I a little old to be sowing wild oats?” Brooke asked.

“God, I hope not, because I’m not that far behind you. But then I have my Mr. Right.”

“I know. I’m so tickled about you and Rick, but Jenny, you’re a hopeless romantic.”

“Guilty.”

“How’s Rick handling the news about Goto?” Brooke asked.

“He still doesn’t want to talk about it, so I’m trying to be patient and understanding. How about Mike? What did he say?”

“Same. He avoided the question, but I could see it in his eyes when I asked. Kind of wish I hadn’t brought it up.” She glanced at her watch again. “I have to dial into a meeting in a few minutes. I gotta run. I just wanted to share the news.”

“Thanks for calling to let me know, but the next time Mike tries to take my spot as number one info-getting friend, kick his ass to the curb for me, would ya?”

“Later, bye.” Brooke smiled as she realized she’d picked that saying up from Mike. It was good to see him. Really good.

CHAPTER FORTY

T
he next morning Brooke’s phone rang bright and early. The name on the display put an instant smile on her face.

“Have your feet hit the ground from the divorce decree yet?” Mike asked.

His voice sounded good. “A hello would be nice,” she said.

“Hello. Have your feet hit the ground yet?”

“As a matter of fact, I’m still pretty much floating around. It feels great to officially close that chapter of my life.”

“I bet.”

“I’ve been thinking about framing those divorce papers. Do you think it would be tacky to hang them on my office wall?”

“You might check with Martha Stewart or some other notable about that. I wouldn’t know.”

Brooke eyed her diploma and several awards on her office wall. “I don’t know. I think this might look pretty good. Hell, it means more to me than my diploma and awards do!” She cocked her head and considered it. “I’m thinking Martha would be all for this.”

“Got enough energy left for dinner tonight? I wanted to see you.”

“Sure.” She wished she hadn’t answered so quickly.

“Great. Nothing fancy. I thought we’d run up to the diner. That work for you?”

“Yes. They’ve got the best fried chicken around.”

“Deal. I’ll pick you up at your place at five thirty.”

“I’ll be ready.”

H
e pulled into her driveway and she was at the truck before he could get out. “Thanks for the unexpected call.”

“You’re welcome,” he said.

His mood seemed stoic. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Fine?” She looked for a sign of a smile but there wasn’t one. “You don’t sound so fine.”

He gave her a half smile but he was trying too hard. It took just a few minutes to get over to the diner on Main Street. They placed their orders at the counter then took their drinks to a corner booth.

“How’s the party going for Rick and Jenny?” Mike asked.

“Right on schedule.”

“Cracking the whip, I hear.”

She wondered if Rick had complained. “Maybe just a little, but with Jenny out of town there’s a lot to do. Careful or we’ll recruit you to help too.”

The waitress slid their dinners in front of them, and Mike kept the talk to safe subjects like the weather. That made her nervous.

Mike put his fork down. “This has been kind of hard for me, Brooke.”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

He looked toward the ceiling. His lips pressed in a thin line. “I’m not going to be able to see you.”

She dropped her fork with a loud clang. “Excuse me,” she said to the folks at the next table. She picked up her fork and leaned forward. “You what?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t put you in danger like that. If something happened to you…Brooke, I know what it’s like to lose someone I love to a creep like Goto. I can’t risk it again. He might be out, but that guy isn’t healed. He’s a killer. He’ll kill again.”

“You love me?”

“It doesn’t matter. You just being around me puts you at risk. I won’t do it.”

She reached over and took his hand in hers. Not long ago he’d given her the best night of her life, then he’d freaked out and begged for a second chance, and now that the divorce was final and things seemed like they’d gotten back on track she was still going to lose. Would she ever catch a break?

“You can’t do this, Mike. We’ll be fine. He wouldn’t dare risk coming around you. He’d be the number one suspect if anything happened.”

“That kind of man doesn’t give a shit about that.”

She pushed her plate to the edge of the table. “Mike. We can do this. Together.”

“You’re not hearing me. This guy is dangerous. I’m putting you in danger.”

“You are not putting me in danger,” she said. Her voice had gotten a little loud and people around them were staring.

Mike pulled a wad of money out of his front pocket and dropped a couple twenties on the table. “Come on. Let’s go.”

She walked out behind him, and opened the door to the truck.

“Are you okay?” she asked again before climbing in. “I’m not letting you lose me because of him. What’s the difference if I’m dead or not if we’re not together?”

He slid behind the steering wheel. “No. I’m not okay. And you are at risk. I’m sorry if it hurts you, but I wanted you to at least understand why I can’t see you. I will not put you in danger. It’s not up for debate.”

She stood there. “What makes you think you get to even decide?”

“I just did. It’s for the best.”

“For who? For you? Well, I think it’s lame, and I’m tired of you ping-ponging my heart around. Just for the record, I’m in love with you too.” She slammed the door and started walking home. It wasn’t that far and there was not enough space in that truck cab for the two of them.

She muttered every curse word and told him off six ways to Sunday under her breath every step of the way home. She heard him roll up behind her. She wasn’t getting in that truck; she didn’t care if he did follow her. He wouldn’t change her mind this time.

When she got to her house she saw him go to the end of the street and turn around.

She went inside and didn’t set the alarm. Just for good measure. “Just who the hell do you think you are telling me what we’re going to do?”

She watched him pull away, then a familiar car caught her attention just down the street in front of the Parkers’ house. They’d left on vacation earlier in the week. That prickly feeling crawled up her arms. She hadn’t had that in a while.

Mike drove right past the vehicle, but something wouldn’t let her let go so easy. She stood there watching from the window, and then someone popped up in the driver’s seat.

Her heart seized for a moment in time. Her eyes stayed glued to the car. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it was in her throat.

She set the alarm and watched the car go on by; the driver stopped at the next mailbox and slid a flyer behind the flag, then did the same at the next house.

She heaved a sigh of relief. “I must be paranoid.” But just in case, she twisted the deadbolt too. Mike
must have
all
of her emotions out of whack
.