Newborn Conspiracy (13 page)

“He wants you there. In fact, he won’t even see me unless I bring you with me."

The hesitancy returned. He felt her body stiffen, “What about Tanner?" she immediately asked.

Logan didn’t even have to think about the answer to this."He’s not going to the prison. That’s not negotiable. If we make this trip together, then he’ll stay with Dorien Novak, the bodyguard that Jason hired." They’d have to time the visit right, of course, so that the baby wouldn’t miss being nursed.

But Logan still wasn’t convinced this should happen.

“Do you think George Devereux actually has answers for us?"

“Yes," Logan admitted."But I don’t know if he’ll actually tell us,"

“You think this could be some kind of trick to draw us out into the open?"

“Anything’s possible." Logan slid a lock of hair off her cheek.

She stayed quiet a moment."We don’t really have a choice. We’ll have to meet with him"

“You have a choice," Logan assured her."If we don’t meet with Devereux, I’ll find another way"

“But this is the most readily available way. If he tells us what we need to know so there can be an arrest, then Tanner will be safe."

In theory. Logan knew a million things could go wrong. But things might work out, too, and even though there was only a slim chance of that, it was their best opportunity to identify the person who wanted them dead.

Logan pulled her to him."You need some sleep. Try to rest."

“You do the same"

He made a sound of agreement, but he knew there was no chance he’d rest.

Because tomorrow morning, the two of them would have to face down a man who might’ve tried to kill them. Logan prayed that the risk would be worth it and that he could keep Mia and Tanner safe.

Mia watched as Logan surrendered his gun to the prison guard.

Just the sight of the high-powered weapon caused her blood pressure to spike, but she was just as scared at the thought of Logan being unarmed. As much as she disliked guns, she equally disliked the fact that he’d just surrendered their main instrument of protection.

They had already been searched, thoroughly. The guards had gone through the pockets and lining of the camel-wool coat that one of Logan’s team members had brought over for her earlier that morning. Ditto for her newly acquired chocolate-brown pant suit. The guards had also searched her purse, though there was little inside it. Her own things—purse and clothes included—were still being examined for bugs and tracking devices.

“It’ll be okay," Logan whispered to her. "Is this your first time away from Tanner?"

“Yes." And that was causing her far more concern than she’d imagined it would. It was strange. She’d had a life before Tanner, but everything had changed since his birth. It was getting harder to imagine a time without him.

“We’ll keep the meeting short," Logan promised.

He put his hand on the small of her back to lead her through the first set of steel doors.

They slid shut behind them and created a sound that made Mia more than a little uncomfortable.

Then there was another security checkpoint, this one with a metal detector that the guard ran over every inch of Logan’s body—inside and outside his black leather coat, over his jeans and charcoal-gray shirt. Even his snakeskin boots were checked again. Since they’d both already been searched at the first checkpoint, it seemed a little like overkill, but in this case, Mia knew that it was exactly what was needed.

Logan wouldn’t have a weapon.

But then neither would anyone else.

She wanted no repeats of what had happened the day before.

“Inmate Devereux is in here," the guard instructed them, opening the door to a large, austere gray room.

Gray walls, gray floor and dull fluorescent lighting that seemed gray, as well. The only spots of non-gray color were the two black security cameras mounted in the corners.

“Stay on this side of the table," the guard warned."And don’t have any physical contact with the inmate."

“Gladly," Mia mumbled.

She certainly didn’t want to get close enough to touch George Devereux. In fact, her goal was to get the information, end this meeting and get back home to her son. She trusted Dorien Novak, but being away from Tanner, especially at a time like this, made her anxiety level skyrocket.

Logan stepped inside the gray room just ahead of her. And he hadn’t made it far before he came to an abrupt stop. He cursed, and it was vicious.

Her heart dropped, and she automatically assumed the worst: that Devereux had called off the visit and wasn’t there. Or else maybe he was sitting at the table with his own weapon already aimed at them— though that seemed unlikely with an armed guard in the hall and with the surveillance cameras monitoring his every move.

Because Logan was literally blocking her way, Mia had to go on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder to see what had prompted his response.

And she cursed, too.

There was indeed a long metal table, gray, and the man that she presumed was George Devereux was sitting on the far side of it.

But he wasn’t alone.

On the nearside of the table—the “visitors" side— there were already three other people seated.

Royce Foreman, Genevieve Devereux and Donnie Bishop.

What were they doing there? Within just a few yards of her were the four people who might have already tried to kill Logan and her-—not once but twice.

It was also likely that those attempts to kill them would continue.

George Devereux certainly wasn’t what she’d expected. Despite the prison uniform, he had an air of dignity about him. Along with an expensive haircut and what appeared to be a recent manicure. He’d obviously maintained his well-groomed lifestyle even while behind bars.

Mia disliked him immediately.

“What the hell is going on?" Logan demanded.

“Isn’t it obvious—we’re about to have a meeting." Devereux answered. He wasn’t exactly smiling, but he did seem to be enjoying Logan’s displeasure.

But Devereux was the only one of them who was enjoying any of this. The three others were obviously not happy.

Genevieve had her shapely legs crossed, her arms folded over her ample chest and her red stiletto-clad right foot was swinging furiously at the empty space between her and the table.

She wasn’t looking at her father. Nor was Royce, who was staring at the wall. He seemed more disinterested than annoyed.

And then there was Donnie Bishop.

No purple jacket today. He wore rumpled jeans and an equally rumpled college sweatshirt. And unlike their other encounter, he wasn’t smirking. His mouth was tight and he was stewing.

Mia felt both curious and concerned about what was about to happen.

The entire room felt ready to explode.

“George ordered us to come," Donnie announced."He said there’d be hell to pay if I didn’t get my butt here at this ungodly hour of the morning."

“I merely wanted to get a few things straight and needed you all here to do that." Devereux insisted, turning his cool green eyes on Donnie."An ungodly hour or so of your time isn’t much, considering."

Devereux turned his attention to Logan."I understand you’ve been making accusations about my daughter."

“Logan thinks I tricked that woman into being my surrogate," Genevieve added without looking at either of them. Her foot worked even faster and the grip she had on her own arms was so tight that Mia suspected she’d have bruises."He thinks I wanted to trap him by having someone else give birth to his child."

“I haven’t made any false accusations." Logan said, “Everything I’ve said about Genevieve is true,"

“Ha!"’ laughed Genevieve."You wouldn’t know the truth if it hit you in the face. I don’t deserve this, Logan." She swirled around in her seat, but the moment her eyes landed on him, her expression softened a bit. And then it softened a lot."Can’t we just sit down together, alone, and talk this out?"

“I don’t think that’d be a good idea," Royce insisted. He sounded both jealous and concerned for safety.

Logan shook his head, “Anything you want to say to me, you can say here,"

“In front of her?" Genevieve stabbed her index finger at Mia, “Hardly. She’s to blame for this. We could have worked things out if she hadn’t come to you with these ridiculous lies."

Genevieve’s resentment didn’t surprise Mia, but it did surprise her that the woman believed that she could actually work things out with Logan. Genevieve was clearly delusional.

Unfortunately, someone who was delusional could do all sorts of nasty things, including but not limited to attempted murder.

Scowling, Donnie stood and outstretched his arms, palms up."This is why I’m frickin’ here—to rehash an old lovers’ quarrel ?"

“You’re here because you’re a suspect," Devereux calmly clarified. He motioned for Donnie to sit, “You had the means, motive and opportunity for the shooting incident that left Collena Drake wounded.

A shooting incident that could have harmed Logan and Ms. Crandall."

“I can be a suspect without having to be subjected to this conversation," Donnie fired back."The soaps start in an hour and I don’t intend to miss them."

“I’ve never asked you for a favor," Devereux continued."Considering I’ve made you lots of money—"

“And you’ve gotten me into a whole yacht-load of trouble with your investment recommendations."

“Yes. But you’re still rich and, unlike me, you’re not in jail. So, consider that favor and think about the consequences of refusing me this favor."

That stopped Donnie in his tracks. He huffed and turned back around."And what favor would that be?"

“Convince Logan to stop this witch-hunt investigation against Genevieve."

“Witch hunt?" Donnie repeated."Is that what you call it these days?"

Devereux nodded."There is no evidence to prove otherwise, is there?"

Mia didn’t think that was an off-the-cuff comment. Was Devereux referring to the incriminating recordings that Donnie supposedly had? Or did he even know about them?

Considering everything she’d heard about Devereux, he likely knew. And if so, was that some kind of veiled threat for Donnie to keep quiet?

Donnie certainly didn’t acknowledge it. He turned to walk away again but stopped when he was side-by-side with Logan and Mia, He put his arms around each of them and brought them into a huddle."When you’re done with this trivial stuff, meet me in the parking lot. I’ll give you a sample of what we discussed earlier."

A sample of the recordings that would hopefully implicate Genevieve. Donnie apparently had decided to put his trust in Logan rather than George Devereux.

Of course, it was bold—and even stupid—to make an offer like that in a room where Devereux could easily overhear it. Mia didn’t like the tangled, dangerous turn this conversation was taking.

Logan didn’t say anything until Donnie had left."Let’s cut to the chase. I need someone here to admit guilt—either their own or someone else’s. Because I want these attacks on Mia and my son to stop."

Genevieve gave Logan an icy glare when he said my son."The guilty party just walked out of the room." she insisted."Or else she’s standing right by you."

Logan looked at Royce."I’m not sure about that"

“Neither am I," Devereux volunteered."Genevieve. Royce, why don’t you two step outside for a moment while I have a chat with Logan and his lady?"

Genevieve mumbled a protest under her breath. Royce made a sound of annoyance, but they both stood.

“Tell the guard that I’ll be ready to return to my cell in ten minutes," Devereux instructed his daughter.

That request caused her to grumble even more. Genevieve walked toward the door, but then stopped when she reached Logan. She was so close that Mia could smell the woman’s expensive perfume.

“You have this all wrong," Genevieve whispered to Logan."I would never do anything to hurt you. In your heart, you must know that."

“I know no such thing."

Much to Mia’s surprise, tears sprang to Genevieve’s eyes and they looked real. She quickly wiped away those tears and both Royce and she did as her father had asked. They left the room and shut the door behind them.

“So fan you’ve wasted my time," Logan immediately told Devereux.

“Yes. I’m sorry about that. I really thought having everyone in the room would be more beneficial to the truth coming out. But not to worry, I have something that should make this visit worthwhile. I did some checking. That woman you rescued in South America had some local enemies. And one enemy in particular might be responsible for the shooting and the explosion,"

Logan shrugged, “So I’ve heard."

Well, Mia certainly hadn’t heard about it. She pulled in her breath and looked at Logan."What is he talking about?"

“I was going to tell you" Logan assured her.

But he didn’t get a chance to do that because Devereux continued, seemingly pleased that this was the first Mia was hearing about the connection between Logan’s work and the recent attacks.

“Then you probably know that Royce was one of the woman’s enemies." Devereux announced.

He stared at Mia."It was business, but sometimes Royce takes business personally. Royce wanted something that the woman had and when she was kidnapped, he thought he would get it. Logan mined everything for him by rescuing the woman in what was considered by most to be an unrecoverable situation."

And that rescue was related to Royce. More puzzle pieces. But how did they fit?

“Is this leading somewhere?" Logan asked impatiently.

“It is, Royce has a strong motive for wanting you dead. He wants revenge."

So, that’s how the pieces fit, “Does that motive extend to me and my son?" Mia asked.

Devereux hesitated a moment."It could, Royce might feel the best way to get back at Logan is to hurt those close to him. He admitted to me that he’d kept an eye on Logan after he got back from South America, Royce could have learned that you’d given birth to Logan’s child."

Logan latched on to that."Other than through Genevieve, how would Royce have learned about my son?"

“The same way you did, I suspect. Probably by following you and then piecing together the same clues you did"