Undercover Justice (35 page)

Turning pale, the Mayor looked at Jed and then at his badge laying on his desk. The Mayor’s condescending attitude evaporated as he sat back in his chair quietly. He seemed like a different person. Meekly, he stared at his desk, not meeting Jed’s eyes.

“Now do you care to answer my questions, or would you like for me to arrest you?” Jed asked, still standing over the Mayor’s desk.

“What do you want to know?” the Mayor asked in a meek voice. He obviously found it hard to submit to Jed. It was hard to comprehend that he was a police officer, when just a few seconds ago, he had been a boy in high school, one that he could intimidate into silence.

“Let’s start with your conference room. Room 35. Why don’t you tell me why they were in your private room?”

“I didn’t know what they were doing. I swear,” the mayor pleaded. “I just make the room available when the Order needs it.”

“Are you a member of the Order?” Jed asked.

“Not anymore,” the Mayor insisted shaking his head.

“Member’s aren’t allowed to leave,” Jed said. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not!” the Mayor said getting hysterical. “I got out. I didn’t want to be apart of what was going on.”

“Then how come you’re still alive,” Jed asked bluntly.

The Mayor started sweating profusely. “I promised that I would never speak of them, and that I would help them in any way they needed, without asking any questions.”

“That sounds like extortion,” Jed said. “What happens if you don’t do as they ask?”

The Mayor’s silence was answer enough.

“I’ll make a deal with you. You tell me everything I need to know, and as long as you haven’t committed any heinous crimes, I’ll be willing to talk to my superiors about leaving you out of this. Of course, if you blow my cover, I will come after you will everything I’ve got. Is that understood?” Jed demanded. Jed knew that the Mayor couldn’t tell anyone about Jed being a cop, or even Kent breaking The Order’s code, without convicting himself.

The Mayor nodded his agreement.

“Who is the Director?” Jed asked.

“I don’t know. The previous one died, and someone new stepped in. Because I’m not a member, I don’t go to the meetings and I don’t know who is involved.”

“Ok, I believe you,” Jed told him. “Who makes the decisions? Gives the Orders? The Elite Five? Do you know any members of the Elite Five?”

“Yes, they make the decisions. I don’t know for sure who is on it, but I have my suspicions. Once you attend the first meeting, you put on the robe and disappear. Nobody knows for sure, who accepted and who declined. Unless of course you become one of the Elite Five or the Director.”

“Do you know who else was asked besides you?” Jed asked him.

The Mayor looked at Kent before answering. “Jack Barton. He and I were good friends. He declined and I accepted. That ended our friendship.”

“Anyone else?” Jed asked.

“I think so, but I can’t be sure. There was a rumor that a list of the members and a list of those that declined was kept in a filing cabinet somewhere in the main Country Club building. Nobody actually knew if it was true, but as new members, we were always nervous about somebody finding it and exposing us as frauds.”

“What do you mean?” Jed asked.

“We cheated through school,” he said gesturing to the wall behind him that had his diploma from the state university on the wall. “I never would have graduated top of my class, or gotten this position if it wasn’t for The Order. If anyone found out that I cheated, my political career would be over.”

“Then why get out and risk not knowing what they were up to?” Jed asked.

“I didn’t like the means they were willing to take to achieve total silence,” the Mayor said.

“You mean murder,” Jed said, giving the Mayor a look that demanded the truth.

“Yes,” the Mayor admitted.

“Thank you,” Jed said offering the Mayor his hand. “I will let my superiors know and someone will be in contact with you.”

“Please, they can’t know that I talked to you,” he pleaded.

“I promise to do my best. As far as they are concerned, I’m just a trouble-making high school student.”

Nodding, the Mayor sat quietly as they let themselves out. Walking to Kent’s car, they were all silent. The silence was broken as they pulled up to drop Ollie off at his house. “Good job Jed,” he said as he got out of the Camaro.

Nodding his thanks, Jed said, “See you tonight Oll.”

Kent and Jed headed back to the Barton’s house, where Jed had left his truck. Jed only had a little over an hour before he had to be back to pick Nora up for dinner. Kent was picking Charlotte up and Ollie was getting a ride from his mom. Jed hurried home to shower and change. His neck was tingling. Always a sure sign that trouble was brewing. It looked like tonight could involve more than just dinner.

Chapter 25

Kent had already left to go pick up Charlotte. I knew Jed would be here in just a couple minutes, so I ran up the stairs to say goodbye to my parents. I could hear them talking excitedly as I came down the hall to their room.

“Should I take the blue one or my red dress?” my mom was asking my dad.

“Take both,” I suggested, as I walked through the doorway.

“Nora. Thank you. Your father doesn’t have any fashion sense,” my mom said as she continued to pile clothes on the bed near an open suitcase. My parents were leaving on a long weekend trip to the Bahamas. My dad had surprised my mom with a trip for their wedding anniversary that was this weekend.

Although they were worried about leaving us, after what happened yesterday, I could tell that they were very excited about going on a vacation with only the two of them. I couldn’t remember the last time they had gone anywhere without Kent and I.

“Wear the blue dress, if it’s a fancy restaurant,” I told her, “It matches your eyes. The red dress is nice for someplace a little more casual. Especially if there is dancing.”

“You’re right. I should take them both.”

“Jed’s going to be here to pick me up soon, so I just wanted to say goodbye.”

“Thank you darling. You and Kent have a good time this weekend. Call us if you need anything,” she said, giving me a big hug. “Jack! Nora is leaving soon. Come say good bye.”

My dad peeked his head out of their massive walk-in closet. He came out wearing a perplexed expression. I almost laughed. He truly looked as if he didn’t know what he was doing. I knew that as soon as Mom finished her packing, she would help him.

“Bye Dad,” I said walking over to give him a big hug. “Good going. She is so excited,” I whispered to him as he hugged me back.

Looking over at my mom, he smiled. “Thanks, honey. See you Monday night.”

The doorbell rang from downstairs. “That must be Jed,” I said running my hand nervously over my black dress. I had decided that my newest little black dress was perfect for a nice dinner out. I don’t know why I was so nervous. It wasn’t as if this were our first date. Ok, it was only our second date. Still, just thinking about Jed standing out there waiting for me was enough to make my palms start sweating.

“Jed?” my dad asked. “What happened to Kent? Aren’t you all going to the same place?”

Oh, right. I forgot to mention something to my dad. Here goes nothing. “Um… Dad, Jed and I are sort of dating.” Turning, I ran down the stairs to let him in, before my dad could say anything.

I heard my mom say, “Now Jack.”

“I just want to talk to him,” my dad said. “I’ll be right back.”

Ah oh, I better warn Jed I thought, flinging open the door.

Whoa. Jed was wearing a pair of black dress pants that fit him like they were made especially for him. He had on a bronze colored dress shirt open at the collar. The shirt emphasized his copper colored skin and his broad shoulders. He looked so handsome. I truly had to catch my breath.

Unfortunately, my dad took that opportunity to nudge me aside and say, “Nora says you’re dating.”

Jed shot a look at me, before saying, “Yes sir.”

“Do you think that you’re good enough for my daughter?” he demanded.

“Dad!” I gasped.

“No sir,” Jed said, as serious as I had ever heard him.

“Good. You remember that,” My dad said.

“He is too,” I demanded.

They both ignored me.

“I expect you to continue to keep her safe. That includes from you,” my dad went on, oblivious to me standing there with my hands on my hips glaring at him.

“Yes sir.”

“I’m leaving for the weekend, but Kent will be watching you.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it for a second, sir,” Jed said with a small grin. He could tell where Kent got it from.

“Then have a good night you two,” he said, before stepping back.

“Thanks, Dad,” I said sarcastically. Really! It was a good thing Jed found them so amusing. Most guys were intimidated by Kent and my dad, so they didn’t stick around too long.

Taking Jed’s outstretched hand, I allowed him to pull me down the steps toward the driveway.

A large luxury Cadillac sedan, sat parked in the driveway. I had been expecting Jed’s truck so I was a bit surprised.

“Whose car is this?” I asked, running my hand over the hood as I walked around to the passenger side.

“It’s mine,” Jed said.

At my surprise, he qualified. “It was my grandfather’s. I’ve just kept it in the garage, because I don’t know what to do with it. I figured you might like it better than my truck.”

“I don’t mind a truck, Jed. But I do appreciate luxury once in a while. Thank you.”

“You look beautiful,” Jed said, as he opened my door for me.

“So do you,” I told him honestly. I was still having trouble with the whole breathing thing whenever I looked at him.

Grinning, he shut my door and walked around to the driver side.

“I couldn’t believe that you told your dad we were dating. Thank you,” he said.

I knew that it meant a lot to him. He had not been happy about us hiding it.

“I figured after you saved me, that they had to be ok with it,” I said grinning.

“Your dad did take it pretty well. I could tell he was trying to remember that fact and not get upset,” Jed said grinning back.

“I am so excited. I hope we have some time to look around. I would like to get back into that office,” I said.

“Now hold on a minute,” Jed said taking my hand. “I don’t want you anywhere near any of them again. If there is any snooping to do, it will be done by me.”

“That’s not fair Jed. I was the one who found it first.”

“That’s true,” he qualified. Bringing my hand up to his lips, he pressed a soft kiss to the back of my hand. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. Why don’t we agree that you don’t do anything without me? That way I can try to keep you out of trouble.”

“It’s a deal,” I agreed. I really was in no hurry to be abducted again.

“Besides, this night is about us relaxing and having a good time with our friends,” Jed said, brushing his thumb against my palm as he drove.

I don’t think he was even aware of what he was doing. I certainly was. My whole hand was starting to tingle. Make that my whole arm.

“I know. I’m looking forward to it. I think Charlotte and Ollie were pretty excited about it. I don’t think that either of them has been to the Country Club before. Let alone for dinner,” I said.

“I haven’t exactly either,” Jed reminded me.

“Oh. That’s right. Well, on Fridays they have an all you can eat buffet with prime rib and shrimp. It is my favorite time to go,” I told him.

“I’ll bet it is,” Jed said amused, “plenty of food then?”

“Hey!” I said slapping his arm playfully. So I liked food. What can I say?

“It is kind of expensive though,” I told him. “It’s about thirty dollar’s a person. Oh, my gosh! I didn’t think of that, when I invited everyone.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine,” Jed said.

“I’ll pay for it,” I assured him.

“Would you stop it? We have been over this before if I recall. We are on a date. I pay for it,” Jed said. “And if Ollie doesn’t have enough money, I’ll pay for him also. I assume Kent is paying for Charlotte.”

I nodded.

“See, all taken care of,” he said.

“But...” I sputtered.

“Look around you Nora. I am driving a Cadillac. I own a huge horse farm. I have money,” he interrupted.

Knowing that Jed was right, I let it go. I just felt bad that I had invited everyone and it was so expensive. Pulling up to the Country Club, Jed parked the car and we got out.

Ollie was sitting on the bench by the walkway waiting for us as we walked up. When he spotted us, he jumped up. “Jed! Look at this place. I have always wanted to go inside.”

Looking up at the Country Club, I had to admit that it looked pretty impressive, especially in the evening with the setting sun behind it. The lights inside and on the patio and upper veranda gave the club a sort of romantic feel. It looked rich and old, with a hint of mystery.