The Choice (42 page)

“Marcie, Richard’s right. Sam risked everything for you and not once did he turn his back. That alone should tell you how important you are to him. Dan will get his, maybe not now, but someday. Hold onto that while you focus on making you happy.”

Marcie sighed. “Richard, what about this contact who told you Dan was involved with a cop?”

“Marcie, there are contacts made with dirty cops, airport employees—look, let’s be honest. This is what Dan did. Although he fronted other things, the development project with me and his other rental properties. They were a disguise for his sideline, which isn’t a sideline. Do you understand? He needs the illusion of respectability, to target the innocent. I allowed him to do this, and I chose to ignore it. I’m as guilty as you.”

Richard paused as if struggling for the right words to explain. “Dan knew people with the right contacts. Don’t forget how charismatic a people guy he is. I know there’s a state trooper he has some connection with now. This could be the leak on Sam’s team. I don’t know for sure. In New Orleans, he used to have a contact, but we’re going back in time now. All I know is what he told me. She was shot after she eliminated a problem. I didn’t want to know, and Marcie, I still don’t. Dan’s been growing marijuana for years. Long before you arrived on the scene. You may believe this expansion is new. But that’s just another one of his illusions. You don’t want to play games with him.”

Marcie’s stomach burned with nausea. She shut her eyes knowing the contact had been Elise, and the problem was Mama Reine’s misguided grandson, Leon.

“Richard, you’re still partners with Dan. What if he tries to get back at you?”

Maggie’s voice trembled on the other end. “Two agents arrived here last night and stayed. Richard, are we in trouble? Is Dan going to come after us? I told you last night, I have an awful feeling he may try something.

The phone squealed. Two cordless phones too close together. One clicked off. Richard came back on the line. “Sorry Marcie, this has been an emotional roller coaster for Maggie. She worries too much, you too. Everything will be fine. Dan won’t try anything with me. 
H
e thinks he’s got one pissed off partner because he pressured my wife into helping with his illegal drug operation. I’m pretty sure he’ll be the one avoiding me.”

After Marcie said goodbye, she sat in silence and reflected. The last thing she wanted was to upset Maggie. Richard had been right to downplay it. She wondered if Richard might be ignoring a potential problem in Dan or an even worse one in Lance.

Diane cleared her throat. She hovered in the archway. “You okay?”

“You feel like getting some air?”

The high wrought iron gates were propped wide open. Sam drove Marcie’s truck down the long, freshly pebbled driveway. A man wearing a tan, wide brimmed hat, baggy pants and grey wool sweater paused while holding a rake over a pile of leaves on the massive front lawn. The neatly manicured gardens surrounding the house boasted creamy pink and purple hydrangeas and a prize rose garden filled with blood red and white roses climbing a trellis up the side of the lavish house. Thin smoke plumed from the chimney of what appeared to be the great room. And a creamy gossamer curtain swayed and fell against the large plate glass window.

Sam parked in the circular driveway right in front of the house. He breathed in deep, coming to peace with what he needed to do. Jesse was right, and Sam missed his wise friend already. This was their chance, Sam and Marcie’s. So he didn’t hesitate for a second as he climbed the stone steps, holding his head high, to the brand new front door, white, no glass. Positive this time it came equipped with metal reinforcements. It’d be harder to kick in. Sam raised his fist to pound, but the door slid open. He let his hand fall, before jamming both hands into his front pockets.

Lance Silver looked more like an aristocrat than the lowlife drug dealer he was. His sandy blonde hair was slightly graying, styled and gelled, not a hair out of place. He wore rimless reading glasses, which he pulled off and dangled from his right hand. He wore tan slacks and a cashmere sweater, which probably cost more than Sam made in a year. He stepped back allowing Sam to enter.

The man showed no fear as he closed the door behind Sam, but why should he, with all his well-paid goons surrounding him.

Sam’s hands were damp when he unzipped his coat. One of Lance’s men, a tall, dark guy who looked like he pumped steroids, removed Sam’s Glock from his holster.

“Agent Carre, I presume. What can I do for you?” Lance Silver was a man who controlled his emotions, a master really. As Sam couldn’t get a read on what this confident man was thinking.

“I came to make you a deal. One you can’t refuse.”

Lance Silver grinned and ran his tongue over his white, perfectly straight teeth.

“I’m intrigued. First, my man’s going to check you for a wire and more weapons. Then he’ll show you into my study.”

Sam put his hands on his head while Lance’s man searched him. The man was a mutant and his face resembled a sheet of steel. His emotions were so carefully controlled. He never spoke but directed Sam down the familiar hallway, the one resembling an art gallery, and into Lance’s warm, eclectic study, a room filled with books, floor to ceiling windows and an energy efficient wood stove.

Lance sat behind his mahogany desk, in a high back, black leather, executive chair. He motioned to a shorter padded leather chair on the other side of the desk. Sam could feel heat from Lance’s man dogging his heals.

“No, I’ll stand, thanks. This won’t take long. You bugged Marcie’s cottage. You knew we’d be waiting for Dan McKenzie and his brother while they exchanged the marijuana for cocaine. So the exchange didn’t happen, and we have no idea where the drugs are. It’s over. You win.”

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. Who’s Dan McKenzie?”

Sam yanked up his black T-shirt, showing his bare solid chest. “Don’t. There’s no wire. No one’s listening. It’s just you and me coming to an understanding.”

“So what is this understanding Mr. Carre?”

“I walk away, no more investigating you and your little operation. You leave Marcie alone, Richard and Maggie too. Richard’s still Dan’s partner, but I want your word you’ll keep a tight leash on Dan, no more shenanigans. He got the marijuana and the cocaine. We won’t come after him again or you. No more trying to set up Richard, Maggie, Marcie or even me. You get Dan to stay away from Marcie and to stop pointing the finger at her. Rein Dan in, you and I both know you can do it.”

“What guarantee do I have, you won’t suddenly decide to start a brand new investigation on me next month or six months from now?”

“I’m handing in my resignation with the DEA today.”

Lance nodded. His hard eyes appeared to contemplate what Sam offered.

“Maybe you’d consider coming to work for me. After all, a man with your talent would be a great asset to me. Financially, I’d make it worth your while.”

Sam chuckled, amused by the man’s balls. “I don’t think so.”

“You seem to forget, I’m the one who pushed so hard to investigate you. Do we have a deal?”

“Well, hang on a second. What’s to protect me when another cowboy from your team decides to pick up where you left off? And you and I both know that’ll happen.”

“Nothing. But that’s not my problem. I’m backing off, resigning and with it, all my knowledge of you and Dan McKenzie disappears. This current investigation is now down the toilet.”

“Marcie. Such a sweet, lovely girl. I could never get past her granny. Tried a few times. That woman, I’d swear she’d go to battle with the devil himself to protect her Marcie. You must really love her.” Lance rocked forward and leaned on his desk. “I’m in a generous mood today. Mr. Thomas, please return Agent Carre’s weapon and escort him to the door.” Lance’s man handed Sam his Glock and then directed him to leave.

Lance Silver never looked up. “Mr. Carre, enjoy your retirement.”

Marcie sat on the edge of a moss-covered bank, admiring the sculpted rocks sloping down toward Scotty Bay. Puffy white clouds filled the clear blue sky, really moving, the wind had picked up. Maple and fir trees rustled and swayed their lovely pastel shades of green, orange and yellow.
What a fine fall day to take in Mother Nature’s glorious changes—to really clear away the confusion and bring some clarity to her busy mind,
thought Marcie. She breathed deeply as she looked down on the bubbling water splashing over the rocky shore.

Diane didn’t join her. She must have sensed Marcie’s need for space. So she lingered, by the borrowed sedan. Sam had taken her truck when he went out earlier. Maybe he too, needed some clarity. Who wouldn’t after the drama they’d lived through the last few days, hell, for that matter, since she landed in his path in New Orleans.

Gravel rustled behind her,and a truck door closed. She didn’t need to look back. She could feel his warm approach from anywhere.

“The mist is rolling in.” He hunched down, wrapping his arms around her.

Marcie touched his arm and felt his possessive, loving hold sink right into her. “Diane called you?”

“She knew I’d worry, finding you both gone from the cabin.”

She leaned her head back against Sam’s shoulder. Her tummy started doing that peaceful everything’s-going-to-be-all-right thing. “I’m glad she did. We better go before we can’t see anything.”

Sam all but lifted her. His solid arm surrounded her waist, pulling her so close, not even a breeze could find space to separate them. She wouldn’t remember what the small detail was that made her look. But when she glanced out onto the bay, the view was impaired by the thickening mist. Then a window opened, with blue sky and Jerome’s golden hair blowing in the wind. He smiled, on the deck of his ship, with his darling Isabel beside him. Then he was gone.

She looked up at Sam. He watched the same spot on the bay.

“Wow, look at how thick the fog is.”

And she knew for her and Sam, they’d won.

Marcie watched Sam through the front window as he threw a tennis ball to the fluffy, golden retriever, who frolicked and raced to fetch the fuzzy ball. They needed to leave soon. Sam had booked them a beachfront resort down in Mazatlan.

“Here’s your tea. Sit down child, before you fall over.” Sally placed a steaming mug on the beach wood coffee table, which she’d made from scraps that floated in from the ocean. She gripped Marcie’s hand and led her to the sofa, giving her arm a gentle shake.

“Marcie, you listen to me. I can see you fretting over what’s past. But you need to let it go. You’ve been handed a precious gift. Take it. Go on your holiday with your new man. Come back and build a life together. And never forget your gift.”

“Now that you’re listening and following the light, you already know your gift has returned. It’s getting stronger. And when you come back all rested and tanned, it’ll be time to resume your teaching. I’m happy for you. And know that your granny’s smiling down on you. You got a good man there. The right man—the man you asked for. You accomplished quite a feat, whether or not you realize it. You broke a destructive cycle that had been repeating for generations. That dark entity didn’t get you, or Sam, although it tried. New guides and angels come to us all the time, as we need them, to teach us and guide us on our divine path. You won, you both did. Now finish your tea, you have a boat to catch.”

“Sally, who’s my real father? Jerome said you’d help me find him.”

Sally pulled on her cream sweater and strode to the window, watching Sam and her fluffy companion, bouncing through the piles of falling leaves.

“When you get back, child, and settled with your man. And after you resume your teaching, it’ll be time. Then I’ll help you find him. Now go with God and remember the words of our native forefathers and the battle that wars inside each of us. Do you remember, Marcie? One is evil. It’s fear, anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, competition and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, friendship, respect, sharing, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. Do you remember who wins?”

“Yes, I do. The one you feed.”

Marcie left the warm, cozy cottage without another word. Her heart felt at peace for the first time ever. Sam turned to her when she stepped off the porch and watched her in his soft, loving way that turned her knees to jelly. Words weren’t necessary when a man could say it all of it with a look. You are everything—the sun, the moon, the stars and the whole world to him. His face lit up in the easy way she’d come to recognize over the past few days, since he’d tendered his resignation to the DEA. His walk was lighter, as if he’d shed every one of his burdens.

He skimmed his fingers up and around her jaw, and his eyes sparkled with humor.

Sam helped her into the truck.
Before he could close her door she cupped his cheek and traced her finger over the pink nick on his chin, a casualty from shaving this morning.

“What is it?”

“Do you ever wonder what cost we pay for the choices we make? If it’s fate or something we created?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure how to answer that, hon.”