Norah smiled. The sweet young detective, of course. Youre an open book, my love. She nodded toward Kristen. Her own channels? As if a little cop shop like hers could possibly know anything about an international crime lord.
You think we dont have our own share of big-time crime in Alabama? Sam murmured, not sure why he felt the urge to defend Kristen Tandy when hed had his own doubts about the usefulness of her connections. A Mexican drug cartel carried out a series of gang executions south of here not long ago. Its a global economy, even for the bad guys.
That doesnt mean Elly Mae Clampett over there can make a phone call and find out where Enrique Calderon has been for the last five days, Norah scoffed. She just doesnt want to look like an idiot in front of you. Its kind of sweet.
Sam pressed his lips together, irritated by Norahs constant stream of insults. Kristen Tandy is not an idiot. Shes got good instincts, and shes putting herself on the line more ways than you know to protect my daughter-our daughter. There are things you dont know about her-
As soon as the words escaped his mouth, he knew hed made a mistake. Norahs eyes lit up with wicked interest.
What things? she asked.
A knock on the front door saved him from having to answer. He opened the door to his brother Gabe, who was carrying Maddy on his back.
Jake and Mariah had to take Micah to the doctor, so they left the rug rat in my care, Gabe said with a grin.
Norah smiled. Hello, Gabe.
Gabes smile went a little brittle. Hello, Norah. He lowered Maddy to the floor.
Uncle Gabes gotta go fishing, Maddy announced as she reached up to Sam for a hug. Sam gave her a squeeze, shooting a quizzical look at his brother.
I have a last-minute afternoon guide job, Gabe said apologetically. We were in town for ice cream when I got the page. I called Mom to see if she could keep her down at the bait shop, but Miss Priss caught sight of Detective Tandy as we were driving past and demanded to come here instead. I saw your Jeep and figured you must be here with your ex. He gave a nod in Norahs direction. If its a problem-
No, thats fine. Sam shifted Maddy to his hip. Its about time I take her home for her nap anyway.
No, dont wanna nap! Maddy protested.
If you dont take a nap now, youll have to go to bed early tonight. And I have big plans for tonight, let me tell you. He made a face at his daughter, knowing she couldnt resist a tease like that.
Maddy cocked her head, her eyes bright with curiosity. Like what?
He lowered his voice. Its a secret.
Maddy gave a long, frustrated growl. I hate secrets!
You love secrets, he insisted.
She sighed deeply and gave him a look that made his heart curl into a helpless knot. Okay, Daddy. She gave him a hug. He hugged her back, trying not to squeeze too tightly.
I guess Id better get going then, Gabe said, nodding politely to Norah, then to Kristen, whod apparently finished her phone call. He headed out the door.
Quite the charmer, Norah said drily.
Youd be surprised. Sam looked at Kristen. Detective Tandy? Were you able to put out any feelers to your contacts?
Ignoring Norahs soft huff of skepticism, Kristen lifted her chin and met his gaze steadily. Foleys brother is an FBI agent whose area of focus is the identification and interdiction of South American drug cartels trying to set up shop in the states. Foleys calling him to see if he can figure out Calderons movements over the last four days.
Sam glanced at Norah for her reaction. Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and annoyance.
Well, Im going to get Maddy home for her nap. Detective Tandy, didnt you want to ask Norah some questions?
Oh, terrible time for that, Norah said firmly, grabbing her purse from the writing table. Im afraid I made an appointment with Limbaugh Motors just down the street to obtain a rental car while Im here in town. Give me a call later and Im sure we can arrange something. She handed the room key to Sam. Do lock up for me, Sam. Ill pick up the key later this afternoon. She breezed past them on a trail of Chanel No 5.
Son of a b- Kristen sputtered.
Small ears, Sam warned.
She looked up at him, her eyes ablaze. Im not through with that woman, she warned, pushing past him through the door Norah had left open on her way out. Sam watched her go, enjoying the view of her denim-clad backside a little more than he should.
The next couple of days might turn out to be a lot more complicated than hed anticipated.
Chapter Seven
How did a Sanselmo drug cartel get mixed up in this anyway? Jason Foley asked Kristen later that afternoon when she dropped by the office to see if his brother had called back.
Apparently Sam Cooper was involved in several high-profile cases in D.C., including the conviction of a drug lords son. Kristen explained what she knew about the Carlos Calderon case. Junior ticked off a fellow inmate and ended up dead a couple of weeks ago.
And Cooper thinks Papa C. has decided nabbing the Cooper kid will exact some sort of vengeance? Foley looked skeptical.
It was Norah Cabots idea, actually. Kristen tried not to let her dislike show. But its certainly a motive worth investigating, she added grudgingly.
What did you think of the former Mrs. Cooper? Foley asked in a tone suggesting he already knew the answer.
Kristen tried to be fair. Shes smart, beautiful and sophisticated, befitting a high-powered corporate attorney. Seems to harbor no ill will toward Cooper.
Howd she interact with the kid?
Kristen thought about how shed phrased it earlier to Carl. Shes kind to Maddy, and seems to like her. But I just dont get any sense that they connect like youd think a mother and child would.
And your theory about the fiancés Senate run?
I still think that probably explains why she hopped a plane and flew down here so fast, but I cant really see where it supplies a motive for trying to kidnap Maddy from her fathers home. Sam Cooper is open to Norah seeing more of Maddy, so why break the law when she could accomplish the same thing through normal, legal means?
So we mark her off the list?
With a sigh, Kristen nodded. Probably.
Foley chuckled. Dont sound so disappointed.
Im not. She had to smile. Well, not much. But if that woman looks at me like Im some inbred hick idiot one more time-
The phone rang, keeping Foley from saying whatever he was clearly itching to say. His wry grin faded immediately. He listened to whoever was on the other line for over a minute, jotting notes on the pad in front of him. Finally, he put down his pen and looked up at Kristen. Thanks, Rick. Ill tell her what you found.
Kristens gut tightened as he hung up the phone. Was that your brother? Does he know something about Enrique Calderon?
Foley nodded. He found out where Calderon was the night of the attack on Sam Coopers niece and daughter.
SAM COOPER, A GOURMET CHEF. Whod have believed it? Norah lifted the lid and sniffed the savory aroma rising from the stew pot. Shed arrived at the guesthouse a half hour earlier, driving a shiny red Mercedes convertible with a Limbaugh Motors sticker and dealer plates. Sam suspected Mike Limbaugh had rented Norah his personal car, since the small dealership wasnt known for its luxury vehicles.
Its just chicken-vegetable soup, he said aloud, mildly amused by Norahs hyperbole. You chop a few vegetables, add some chunk chicken, water and seasonings and let it all simmer together. You should try it. Itll knock Juniors socks off.
She made a face at him. Im just surprised you turned out to be such a good hausfrau. You were always a take-out menu sort of man back in the day.
Perhaps because you were always a take-out menu sort of woman. Sam stirred the soup. Im working fewer hours these days, and I have a child to feed.
As he reached for the pepper mill, he heard footsteps on the stairs outside. Automatically he went tense, reaching for the knife lying on the chopping board nearby and wishing his Glock 9 mm wasnt hidden in a box at the top of his closet.
Norah looked up with alarm. Sam?
A knock on the door eased his tension only marginally. Keeping the knife in his right hand, he crossed to the door and looked out. It was Kristen Tandy. He relaxed, reaching for the door handle.
Behind him, Norahs cell phone rang. He heard her answer as he opened the door and greeted Kristen.
I have news, she said tersely, not waiting to be invited inside.
Sam closed the door behind her and followed Kristen into the room. Norah joined them, her eyes bright.
In unison, both women blurted, Enrique Calderon is dead.
The twinge of disappointment Sam felt upon hearing the news that one of their best leads had dried up gave way to amusement as Norah and Kristen stared at each other in disbelief.
How the hell did you know that? Norah asked Kristen. My contact at State called me the second he found out.
Kristen smiled placidly. My contact called a half hour ago with the news.
When did he die? Sam asked.
Both women turned to look at him as if suddenly realizing they werent alone in the room. Kristen answered first. The last time anyone saw him alive was five days ago. The FBIs source within the cartel confirmed Calderons been dead at least four of those days-he saw the leaders body himself. The cartels inner sanctum has been keeping things mum while they jockey for position in the leadership stakes.
Sam glanced at Norah to see if she had anything else to add. She looked annoyed but didnt contradict anything Kristen had said.
Well, he said, before the tension in the room blew up in his face, I guess we can mark Calderon off the list, then.
Kristen nodded. But I think your case history is probably a good place to keep looking, she added. There are bound to be others like Calderon in your past.
Does this mean youre taking me off the suspect list, Detective? Norah asked drily.
Kristen turned to Norah, her gaze narrowed. I cant see where youd have any motive to try to harm Maddy or Sam. Theyve made it clear that youre welcome to have a part in their lives, so youd have no reason to take extreme measures to be with your child.