Her name is Dakota Phillips Ebonys face paled and she looked stricken. Oh God, I smashed into the back of Dakota Phillips, she said, with genuine distress in her voice. She collapsed into the nearest chair and covered her face with both hands.
Nick stared down at his niece, who looked as though shed just committed a major crime. He took off his baseball cap, tossed his sunglasses into it and put it on an end table. So who is she, baby girl? Youre actin like you ran over Rosa Parks or something.
Plucking the sheet of paper from her nerveless fingers, Nick stepped over his nieces long legs to sit on the sofa. He leaned back and stretched his legs out to watch her performance. Ebony was just like her mother, intelligent, emotional and dramatic. Luckily, she was sweet and loving like his sister-in-law so he indulged her little histrionics because he found them amusing. Why are you so upset, Ebony? I keep telling you it was just a little accident. Thats why people have insurance, to protect them when things get out of order through no fault of their own. Im getting ready to call my insurance company right now and her ride will be fixed in no time. No big deal.
Ebony dropped her hands and found her voice. Dakota Phillips happens to be the greatest writer of true crime stories in the country, Uncle Nick. Shes brilliant. Shes beyond brilliant, shes a true genius! Shes won all kinds of awards and prizes and she even got a genius grant from the National Endowment of the Arts when she was like, nineteen or something. All of her books are on the New York Times bestseller list and three of them have been made into movies. Shes been nominated for an Oscar for an original screenplay and she even has a Pulitzer Prize. And I destroyed her car, Ebony moaned. Shes the whole reason I decided to major in journalism and I almost killed the woman!
Nick looked deeply interested in her babbling. A Pulitzer Prize, huh? Is that anything like a Heisman Trophy? he asked innocently.
Ebony made a sound of impatience. Aww, quit playin! You know what a Pulitzer is, Uncle Nick. Dont act you dont have a clue. Im so embarrassed I could die. Ive worshipped her for years and whats the first thing I do when I get close enough to tell her how much I admire her work? I crash into her like a class-A fool.
Who crashed what? Did you do something to my truck? A deep voice came from the dining room, followed by a man who looked a lot like Nick. It was his brother Paul, and the family resemblance was unmistakable. They were both tall, although Nick had about two inches on Paul. They were both light brown, although Nick was a good bit lighter. They both had curly black hair and chiseled features, but Nick had a deep cleft in his chin that Paul was lacking. And they both had gorgeous eyes, but Pauls were hazel while Nicks were green, a true, clear green that was mesmerizing, according to the many women who were attracted to him.
Paul looked from his daughter to his brother and back again, repeating his question. Did you wreck my truck?
Daddy, your precious truck is in the garage. Uncle Nick was teaching me to drive his stick and I crashed into the back of this poor womans car and now my life is ruined.
Oh. Did you wreck his Escalade? Paul asked with interest.
Nick was laughing at the two of them. Paul was always so calm and grounded and his wife and oldest daughter were so dramatic it was a wonder there was ever any peace in the house, but they all managed to get along just fine. Man, it was a little bump on the fender but the ladys taillight got broken and theres a dent in the back. Ebonys throwing a fit because it seems like the woman is some big-time writer that she has a thing for. Shes acting like its the end of the world for no reason, he said with amusement.
Paul studied his younger brother for a moment. She must be fine or you wouldnt be grinning like that.
Nick tried again to look innocent. Shes attractive, he said with a shrug.
Ebony heard her mothers voice and went to get some real sympathy, seeing that she was getting nowhere with her two favorite men. As she left the room muttering, Paul raised an eyebrow at Nick.
Okay, man, shes fine as hell, he admitted.
Big girl? Paul queried.
Tall, thick, big juicy booty and a hot temper, Nick answered. And new in town. Car has D.C. plates on it.
You plan to see her again?
Nicks eyes softened as he thought about how hot and sexy shed looked, all rumpled and angry. I surely do. And as soon as possible.
At that precise moment, Dakota was standing in the living room of her newly refurbished townhouse. She was staring around the place she had expected to call home and she wasnt happy. Cha-Cha was running around their new abode emitting squeaks of discovery as she explored, but Dakota couldnt move. This wasnt the house shed contracted for, the one for which shed paid. This place was a mess.
There was still drywall in the kitchen, the floors hadnt been sanded and finished in the honey oak shed specified, the countertops and glass-fronted cupboards werent the quality shed selected and everywhere she had looked there was evidence of shoddy workmanship. She was so angry she was past tears. She was at the point where she wanted to call her father and ask to borrow one of his hunting rifles, just for a little while. She wanted to find the sleazy developer whod taken her for a ride and put a few bullets in him where theyd do the most good.
She jumped as her cell phone went off and then frowned deeply as she saw who the caller was. It was her brother Johnny and she had a few words for him.
So how do you like your new home? Did Bernard do a great job or what? he asked in a jovial voice.
Your friend Bernard is a liar and a crook. This place is a mess and I hate it almost as much as I hate you at the moment. You told me this guy was trustworthy and reliable, which is why I went into this deal sight unseen. You told me that he was a good friend of yours as well as being your frat brother and that hed do an excellent job. And you told me that youd be checking in with him every time you were in Chicago on business. Well, if you were checking in with him you must have been blindfolded each and every time because anybody with an iota of common sense could see that this place is a dump, she said hotly.
Obviously, you never set foot in the place, which means that you lied to me. If you didnt want to be bothered with me why didnt you say so? I trusted you, which meant I trusted your sorry friend Bernard Jackson. I cant believe you got me hooked up with someone whos obviously a con artist. How could you do this to me, youyou
Hold on, Dakota, hold it right there, Johnny said hastily. Are you trying to tell me that Bernard didnt deliver what he promised? I thought he was sending you pictures of his progress and he had a virtual tour of the house online so you could see how things were going, he said in a puzzled voice.
And I thought I could trust you, she returned angrily. It seems we were both wrong. He was sending me pictures all right, and there was a nice little virtual tour that I monitored every day. But I dont know where he got the pictures from and I sure dont know what that tour was all about because what he was showing me wasnt this dump. And if youd done what you promised me youd do, you would have seen it for yourself. Now the jerk wont answer my phone calls. I went to the office at the address he gave me and its locked up. What kind of friends do you have, Johnny? And how could you get me involved with a sleazeball like him? When I think of the money I spent on this place Her voice finally died off from sheer exhaustion and rage, and she stopped talking because she couldnt trust herself to speak.
If she hadnt been so furious she would have realized how upset her brother was at her words, but she was way beyond listening at that point. It didnt stop Johnny from trying to explain, though.
Dakota, I apologize, I really do. Bernard is my fraternity brother and I thought I knew him pretty well, but it wasnt like were best friends or anything. I really was in Chicago a few times for business, and each time I came I made an appointment to see him and to take a look at your place, but every time something came up and he couldnt make it. I admit, that alone should have made me more suspicious, but I would never have expected him to pull a stunt like this. And when I get hold of his ass hell be sorry he ever tried to mess over my sister, you can believe that.
Dakota was fighting back angry tears and didnt bother to answer him. He continued to probe, though, asking Dakota when she had actually talked to him last, and getting more pertinent information that he hoped would lead to the mans whereabouts. Look, Cookie, he said comfortingly, Ill find the buzzard if its the last thing I do. I dont know what the hell made him think he could con my sister, but Ill take care of him, dont even worry about it.
Hearing him use her childhood nickname almost did her in, but Dakota was no pushover. Johnny, I appreciate your concern, but you dont have to get involved. Youve done more than enough, she said dryly. Im not an investigative reporter for nothing. If I can track down a killer whos been hiding out for ten years I can find a lousy, rotten no-good weasel and take care of him my damn self. Ill talk to you later, big brother, Ive got to get some stuff out of the car and get settled in for the night.
Get settled in? Youre not spending the night there are you? Why dont you go to a nice hotel until this is all sorted out? Thats crazy, Cookie.
I have my reasons, she replied in an icy-cold voice. Let it go, Johnny. I can handle my business all by myself. And whatever you do, dont tell Daddy. The last thing I need is him coming to town with a caravan of Teamsters ready to hunt that lousy ferret down and hang him. I want him alive and well for his court date because Im going to sue him so tough his great-grandchildren will still be paying off his debts. She added a few colorful and profane sentiments before getting off the phone.
Cha-Cha sensed her bad mood and came to sit in her lap. Dakota continued to sit on the floor for a few minutes stroking Cha-Chas incredible fur, sighing every so often. Then she shook off her angst and told Cha-Cha it was time to get busy. Weve got to get a few things out of the car and get something to eat, she said as she tickled the big cats chin. And then we have to get our plan in order. Ol boy picked the wrong sister to screw around with when he decided to pull this crap on me. Wherever he is, I hope hes getting a good nights sleep because its the last one hes going to have for a long time.
Chapter 2
Nick meant what hed told his brother the day before. He intended to see Dakota again and as soon as he could arrange it. Hed called his insurance agent that afternoon and explained the situation, emphasizing that he didnt want her to have to spend a single dime on the repair of her vehicle. Shes new in town, so we need to make sure she gets the best body shop available to take care of her ride. Its a new HHR, but I dont really have that much faith in dealerships. When you talk to her company make some suggestions about repairs, okay?
Nicks long-time agent was smiling for all she was worth on the other end of the phone. Shed known Nick for years and had never heard so much concern and caring in his voice, but all she said was Will do, Nick. Ill make sure she gets nothing but the best.
Satisfied that one thing on the agenda was taken care of, Nick moved to the next item. He was going to pay Miss Phillips a visit and he was even bearing flowers, something his sister-in-law had insisted on. He had to laugh when he remembered her exact words. Patsy was as sweet and Southern as shed been the day Paul had met her some twenty years before and she demanded that the men in her family demonstrate good manners at all times. Dont go over there empty-handed with a mouth full of gimme and a handful of much obliged. Take her a nice plant or something. Its the least you could do since you and my daughter managed to destroy her car and scare her to death. shed told him sternly. And be extra nice to her because I have all her books and I want her to sign them for me.
He was still chuckling when he turned down the street on which Dakota lived, but the mirth died away when he saw where she was living. Another B. Jackson Production, the sign read. Oh hell, naw. How in the world did she get caught up with that crook? He frowned deeply as he surveyed the brick town homes that lined both sides of the street. They looked fine from the outside, but if he knew anything about Bernard Jackson, he knew the interiors of the houses were shoddily put together with substandard materials and workmanship. They were pure-d crap, and every reputable builder in the state knew it. Bernard Jackson was one of Nicks main business competitors, and to say he couldnt stand the man was a masterpiece of understatement.
After a stint in the army, Nick had returned to Chicago and started his own construction company. He was a master contractor and builder, and had parlayed his expertise into a building firm with an impeccable reputation for expert work. Nick was into land development and real estate as well as residential and commercial building and hed worked long and hard to make himself into one of the most respected men in the business. He did it by keeping every promise he ever made, by delivering every project on time and on budget and by working harder than anyone else in his company. He had nothing but contempt for men like Bernard Jackson, fast-talking con artists who won jobs by underbidding and then defrauding their clients by using cheap materials and taking shortcuts. The result was crappy houses that werent worth a quarter of what the clients ended up paying for them.
He particularly hated Bernard because he was a good-looking guy with a snappy wardrobe and a habit of preying on lonely women whod worked hard to save enough money to refurbish their homes, or worse yet, whod saved for years to make their dream of home-ownership come true. Bernard was also known to pay off inspectors and appraisers, so his underhanded practices made him rich, instead of putting him in jail where he belonged. For reasons he couldnt understand, the thought of getting his hands around Bernard Jacksons neck and choking the life out of him was very compelling to Nick at the moment. How a woman who was as smart as Dakota Phillips was supposed to be had got tangled up with that lying, conniving, thieving jerk he had no idea, but there was no way Nick was letting him get away with it.
By the time he pulled up in front of Dakotas unit, he was hot as a firecracker. He glanced at Dakotas bright-red HHR with the sad rear end and made a mental note to make sure she had transportation while it was being repaired. It didnt occur to him that the body shop would see to that, he just didnt want her to be inconvenienced. He was surprised to see her sitting on the front steps when he got out of his truck. She looked rather like a little lost girl sitting there with her elbows on her knees, staring down at her bare feet. Nice, pretty feet, too, with some kind of pinkish nail polish. No corns, bunions or other unsightly things were visible, which gave him a little thrill. Nick loved a woman with sexy feet. She was sexy all over, with her long curly hair flowing loose over her shoulders. She looked up at him approaching and he was thrown off guard by her look of utter hatred.