The Combative Read online

  6

  The guard led his prisoner through the door and directed him to the table. It wasn’t Mallette’s usual table, but then again, he hadn’t had a visitor in months. Mallette eyed the man who was sitting there waiting for him. He already had some ideas in his head as to who it might be, judging by the way he dressed. Expensive-looking shoes, slicked back black hair, briefcase, and he was looking over some papers. He was either an attorney, or he was looking for information that he hoped Mallette would spill.

  Neither was all that appealing to Mallette at the moment. He’d already had his fill of both kinds in the time he’d been in prison. Ever since he arrived there, he’d had lawyers telling him they were getting him out, or people from law enforcement hoping to get more information out of him in exchange for some perk. He wasn’t that interested in either one anymore. Still, he was already there, so hearing the man out seemed to be the only thing to do.

  Mallette sat down across from the man, not looking especially happy. The man put his papers down and looked up. He was a little intimidated by the sight of an angry face looking at him. It wasn’t quite what he pictured when he walked in there. He thought Mallette would look more hopeful than he did. He put his hand out to shake, but Mallette didn’t move his hands an inch. The man gulped, then brought his hand back in front of him.

  “I guess you’re wondering who I am and why you’re here?” Mallette continued staring at him, not saying a word. “OK. Yes, well, my name is Andrew Berry.” Berry had hoped that Mallette would say something at this point, but his hopes were quickly dashed. “And, uh, I am now here to represent you.”

  Berry looked on with a smile, thinking that would get some type of response out of Mallette. It did not. Berry looked somewhat confused and nervous, and he was unsure of what to say next.

  “You do want representation, do you not?”

  Mallette continued looking at the man. He seemed like the rest of the lawyers he had. Nothing different. They couldn’t get him out. He saw no reason to expect anything different this time.

  “I’ve been looking over your case, and I think there are a few things we could try to hit on to secure an early release for you.”

  “Do I look like an idiot,” Mallette finally said.

  Berry was a bit thrown off by the question. “Uh, no. Of course not.”

  “And you have the audacity to come in here, someone I don’t even know, and you start talking like you can get me an early release.”

  “I, um…”

  “Do you know how many times I’ve heard that in the last couple years? Do you know how many lawyers have sat in your seat and told me the exact same thing?”

  “Uh, I am aware that you’ve had several lawyers before me, and while I’m not questioning their capabilities, I am quite confident I can succeed where they failed.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because I have more to gain than they do. In addition to getting you out, I am also proposing a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?”

  “If I am able to secure your release, you agree to keep me on as your legal counsel indefinitely, and pay me double the going rate.”

  Mallette looked unmoved by his demands. “If you get me out of here, I’ll pay you triple the going rate. I’ll buy you a house, a car, and anything else you want. I’ll keep you employed until long after your faculties have left you. Just get me out.”

  Berry smiled. “Well, OK then. That’s good news. I think we have a deal. And I am quite confident in saying that you can start marking the days you have left in here on a calendar. Because they are numbered.”

  Jacobs was sitting on the back porch, not doing anything but soaking up the sun and watching Gunner frolic around. Tiffany came up behind him and put her arms around him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

  “Hey.”

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  Jacobs shook his head. “Nothing. Just sitting.”

  “Oh. Nice.”

  Jacobs peeked over at her as she sat down in the chair next to him. He got the feeling there was something on her mind.

  “Something you wanna talk about?”

  “No, nothing specific, why?”

  “Just seemed like there might be something on your mind.”

  “No, not really.”

  Jacobs still thought there was, but he wasn’t going to push her. He figured she’d say it when she was ready. It didn’t take as long as he thought it would.

  “OK, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Jacobs grinned. “I thought there was.”

  “You know, I’m not sure how you’re gonna feel about this.”

  “About what?”

  “Um…”

  “Tiff, just say it. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

  “OK. Well, I got a message from my mom yesterday.”

  “And?”

  “Well, as you know, I haven’t seen my parents in a couple of months, since all this happened.”

  “Yeah?”

  “As you also know, I used to see them every week.”

  “I know.”

  “And they would like to meet for dinner or something. And I don’t know what to tell them.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Ames might have someone watching them.”

  “That’s another thing. Should I at least tell them what’s going on, that way they can be prepared or at least be on the lookout for something?”

  “No, don’t worry them unnecessarily.”

  “But what if something happens to them? What if Ames starts to use them to get to me, in order to get to you?”

  Jacobs stared at her for a few seconds. He hadn’t really considered the possibility before, but he couldn’t deny it was possible and made sense. He wouldn’t put it past Ames to do that. He’d already shown he was willing and capable of doing so.

  “If something happens to them…”

  “Nothing’s gonna happen to them,” Jacobs said.

  “But you can’t be with me, dealing with Ames, and protecting them at the same time.” Jacobs looked up at the blue sky as he thought about it. “And I also wanna see them. I mean, I’ve been telling them I’ve been so busy with work stuff, but I can’t say that forever before they think I’m blowing them off or lying to them.”

  Jacobs looked at her briefly, still thinking. “OK. Why don’t I call Eddie and ask if he knows someone who can watch your parents’ place?”

  Tiffany smiled. “Thank you. That would really help me sleep a lot better and not worry so much. As long as it’s someone who really knows what they’re doing and not sleeping on the job or something.”

  “I’ll tell him it’s gotta be somebody top-notch.”

  Tiffany leaned over and kissed him on the cheek again. “Thank you. What about the other thing?”

  “What other thing?”

  “I really wanna see them. I like being here, and spending time with you is great, but I also don’t wanna be cooped up here all the time.”

  “They saw us at the park before.”

  “There are other parks. There are other things to do out there. And if we just decide to go out somewhere, they’re not gonna be there waiting. We know how they found us at the park.”

  Jacobs ran his hand over his head. “Yeah, I know. I just like to play it extra cautious.”

  “I know. And I appreciate all you’re doing for me. But we still have to live.”

  “I know.” Jacobs wanted to protect her as much as possible, but he knew how important family was. He of all people knew. He couldn’t deny her seeing them. If anybody knew that you couldn’t just assume there would be another day to see or talk to them, it was him. “If you wanna go out and see them, that’s fine.”

  Tiffany smiled and kissed him again. “Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. You’re not a prisoner here. You can do what you want. You don’t need my permission for anything. I just wanna make sure whatever
you do, you’re safe.”

  “I know. I just know how protective you are and wanted to make sure you didn’t give me a hard time about it first.”

  “I won’t. Not when it comes to your family. Just let me know when you wanna see them.”

  “Maybe we could meet them for dinner this week?”

  “Uh, we?”

  Tiffany smirked. “Yeah. You and me. We.”

  “Uh, why me?”

  Tiffany shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, we’re living together, and it seems like things are progressing with us. I just thought it’d be a nice thing to meet my parents. And for them to meet you.”

  “Uh, I’m not really sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m not sure they’re ready for me.”

  Tiffany laughed. “Of course they’re ready for you. Why do you make it sound like you’re some type of alien or something? You’re perfectly normal.”

  “I’m not sure what I would say.”

  “You can say anything. They’re really nice. They’re not judgmental or anything like that.”

  “Have you actually told them anything about me?”

  “Uh, well…”

  “Tiff!”

  “All I told them was that I met this really nice guy, and we got along really well. I said we were taking things slow, but it was going good.”

  “And?”

  “And that’s it. My mother said they’d like to meet you at some point, so I thought maybe if we met them for dinner, you could get to know them.”

  “And they get to know me.”

  “Is that so bad?”

  Jacobs tilted his head and made a face. “It’s just that… the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to make sure nobody got to know me.”

  “Well, if you’re gonna go back to being the old you, this is a good first step, don’t you think?”

  Jacobs looked down, thinking of his options. There really weren’t any, though. Not if he really wanted a life similar to the one he used to have. If he really did want to give his current life up, and pursue a relationship with Tiffany, he was going to have to do some things that made him uncomfortable. Some things that he never thought he’d do again. As he sat there thinking, Tiffany slipped her hand into his.

  “I’ll help you get through it.”

  Jacobs looked at her and smiled. She just had one of those faces that melted his heart. He didn’t know what she saw in him, but hoped she wouldn’t stop seeing whatever it was.

  “If you think it’s a good idea… then… OK.”

  Tiffany grinned. “Really? You’ll do it for me?”

  Jacobs nodded. “For you.”

  “I know you’re nervous about it, but I promise everything will be fine. I wouldn’t bring you into something I didn’t think you could handle or were ready for.”

  Jacobs nodded again. “I trust you.”

  Tiffany put her hand on the side of his face and rubbed it. “All you have to do is be yourself. That’s all. You don’t have to be someone else. Just be you. And they’ll see what I see.”

  “I should call Eddie and see if he can get to work on getting someone at your parents’ place.” Jacobs pulled out his phone and dialed his friend’s number. Franks picked up immediately, answering enthusiastically.

  “Heyooo.”

  Jacobs pulled the phone away from his ear for a second, putting it back to his ear when he thought Franks was done. “Can’t you just say hello normally?”

  Franks laughed. “Well, you know, just thought it’d give it some extra pizzazz.”

  “Oh. Well, mission accomplished then, I guess.”

  “Thanks. So what’s on the old chuck wagon board tonight?”

  “What?”

  “What are you calling for?”

  Jacobs shook his head, ignoring his previous question. “Um, I just wanted to see if you knew anyone who could sit on Tiffany’s parents’ place?”

  “Why, you heard something? They in trouble?”

  “No, not yet. And nothing that I know of. I just wanna be proactive in this case. Ames has shown he’s willing to include outside people in this. If he can’t get to Tiffany, who’s to say he wouldn’t try them?”

  “Well, yeah, you got a point there. I wouldn’t put nothing past that man. Nothing. With a capital N-O.”

  “I can’t sit on them myself, so I was wondering if you knew anyone who could do the job?”

  “Uh, yeah, let me think on it a bit. But I think I might have a few candidates that can do the job.”

  “They gotta be good, Eddie. They gotta be good. And they gotta be reliable.”

  “What, you think I’m just gonna send over any old slob over there? I know how important this is. Trust me. Let me do my thing.”

  “OK. Do your thing. They just better be good. As good as if I were doing it myself.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. I’m thinking. Yeah, I think I might have someone.”

  “Are they good?”

  “Don’t even ask that question again, man. Don’t even ask. I got this. You and the new missus need this, I got it. Don’t you worry about it.”

  “Me and the who?”

  Franks laughed. “OK, so it might be a bit presumptuous of me on that last part, you know what I mean? But, you know, just some wishful thinking there, you know?”

  “Yeah, sure. Just try to get on this as soon as you can.”

  “I’ll do what I can. What about payment, though? If I get someone good, it’s gonna cost you.”

  “A thousand a day for as long as it’s needed.”

  “What if this goes on for months?”

  “For as long as it’s needed.”

  “OK, OK, I got ya. But I also know you’re not swimming in money. I know you’re not hurting either, but, uh, where you gonna get the bread to pay for all this?”

  “I’ll worry about that. I still have a bunch saved up from some of my former raids. I can swing it for a while before I need to come up with more.”

  “All right, all right, as long as you’re good.”

  “I’m good. You just do your part and get me someone.”

  Franks laughed. “Don’t you worry. I know a guy.”

  7

  Jacobs and Tiffany had just left the restaurant after eating dinner with her parents. It didn’t go as badly as Jacobs had feared. Actually, it went pretty well. After his initial nervousness, he seemed to have a pretty good time. They all seemed to get along; there was a good bit of laughing going on, and they seemed to genuinely like him. At least as much as someone could after an initial encounter.

  They stood outside the building, waiting to leave until Tiffany’s parents got in their car and drove away first. Jacobs took a quick look around, seeing a man in a car a few spots down from her parents. The man locked eyes with Jacobs, then they both gave a slight nod to each other. It was the bodyguard. Jacobs had met him a few days earlier and gave him his seal of approval.

  Franks picked a winner as far as Jacobs was concerned. The man’s name was Nathan Thrower. An apt name for a bodyguard, Jacobs thought. Thrower was an ex-Navy SEAL who now hired himself out to people who needed protective services. Thrower didn’t just sell himself out to the highest bidder, though. He considered each case carefully, and if he didn’t believe in the cause of the person hiring him, he had no problem walking away. Mostly, Thrower didn’t protect bad guys and criminals from other bad guys and criminals. He also didn’t protect them from law enforcement or anyone else who might have been looking for them.

  But if there was an innocent person who needed help, even if they didn’t have the money to pay him, Thrower wasn’t one to look the other way. Before following Tiffany’s parents, Thrower gave Jacobs the thumbs-up sign, letting him know they weren’t followed to the restaurant. That put Jacobs’ mind at ease a little bit, knowing he wouldn’t have to drive around aimlessly for half an hour to get home.

  Tiffany’s parents pulled out of the parking lot with Throw
er right behind them. Jacobs and Tiffany stood there for a few seconds, Jacobs watching carefully to make sure nobody else followed them out. Tiffany had been hanging out with Jacobs long enough to know when something didn’t seem right to her.

  She tugged on Jacobs’ arm. “Brett, did you see that one car leave right after my parents?”

  Jacobs already knew what she was getting at. “It’s the guy I hired to look after them.”

  Tiffany let out a deep breath. “Oh, thank god. I thought…”

  Jacobs smiled. “I know. But it’s fine. They’re in good hands. Eddie picked a good one.”

  “Did you meet him?”

  “Yeah, I met him the other day. Solid guy. Ex-SEAL. He knows his stuff. He’ll protect your parents. I have no doubt about that.”

  “At least that’s somewhat of a relief.”

  “I won’t let anything happen to them. I promised you.”

  She grinned. “I know. Thank you.” She reached up and gave him a kiss. “Speaking of my parents, everything went pretty good in there, right?”

  It was hard for Jacobs to admit it. “Yeah, I guess it went OK.”

  “OK? It went more than OK. Admit it, you had a good time.”

  Jacobs finally smiled. “It was… not bad.”

  “That’s all you’re gonna give me, huh?”

  “Well, they seemed to not hate me.”

  “Oh, stop. They really liked you.”

  “For now.”

  “For always. Stop doing that.”

  “What?”

  “Doubting yourself. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

  “I’m just… I’m not sure I’m any parents’ dream of what they want for their daughter when they dream it up.”

  “All they want is my happiness. And if you treat me well, and I’m happy, then they’re happy. I think that’s all that any parent wants for their child.”

  Jacobs had a hard time wiping the smile off his face as he looked at her. “Maybe.”

  “C’mon, let’s go back to the house and check in on the baby.”

  Jacobs’ eyes widened. “Baby?”

  “Our fur-baby.”

  Jacobs wiped his forehead. “Oh.”

  Tiffany laughed. “That’s my baby!”