into the billfold and headed into the house.
~ ~ ~
Jonathan entered Xavier’s room, but there was no need to wake him. He was wide-eyed, lying face down, his arms crisscross beneath his chin on the plush oversized mahogany bed.
“Are you rested?” Jonathan asked.
“Physically. Emotionally, I’m consumed. After the last few years, I wonder if I’ve made any right choices.” He flipped over onto his back using his still crisscrossed arms for a pillow. “I’ve let this go on too long.”
“If you didn’t think they were the best choices at the time, you wouldn’t have made them. The past is irrelevant. Now, more than ever, is when you need to be sure every decision is the right one.”
He stretched out in the bed, groaning until he’d extended as far as he was able and gave up with a grunt. “The next choices I make could destroy the lives of people I love.”
Jonathan sighed, adding an understanding nod of his head.
“Can you grab my cell phone from my pants pocket? I need to give Olivia a call.”
Jonathan reached for the pants, retrieved the phone, and passed it to him. “Mrs. Wentworth said lunch would be ready in twenty minutes. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, I don’t need anything. On second thought, if you get time, you can pack me a bag for the gym. I need to get out of here for a while after lunch. Maybe I’ll play some racquetball. Haven’t done that in a while.”
“Will you need more time for your call?”
“If I’m not down in time, tell Angela I’ll be there in a few minutes. Did she say whether or not Nick would be here for lunch?”
“Yes, he should be arriving soon.” As Jonathan left, he turned back to Xavier. “Everything will work out.” He tipped his head and set off downstairs.
Xavier made the call to Olivia. “Hello, Olivia, I gather things aren’t going so great down there.”
Olivia spoke, her voice confirming his statement as much as her words did. “No. Jackson still isn’t happy. Did he talk to you about putting video in? I’m not so sure about that. I doubt Judge Waters would go so far for anyone without very good reason. If you put cameras in anyway, I don’t want to know.”
“I understand.”
“Xavier, Jackson wouldn’t ask, but he needs some relief down here. He’s working day and night, and he’s getting frustrated. He can’t find anything on Wayde. Only basic information on his military records came in. He’ll pursue what he has, but we should get someone to relieve him at night.”
“I think we’re all getting frustrated, Olivia. With Max and Kinsley gone and things the way they are, my life and family are unrecognizable. Do you have someone we can trust completely? I want as few people involved in this as possible.”
“I’ll call in some favors. I convinced Jackson to come over and have dinner with me tonight. We’ll discuss the video and how to proceed. I’ll get someone in by then.”
“Good. Seems like you had a nice time at Nick’s. Anything Jackson forgot to mention?”
“Jackson doesn’t forget things. Yes, we had a good time. One of his friends, Mia, came over. Worked out perfectly. He got Nick alone, and I was able to talk to Mia.”
“The way Nick goes through women lately, I’m surprised to hear he invited Mia over and not one of his lady friends. She’s shy, especially when first getting acquainted with people. She talks more once she gets to know you.”
“Shy? Are you sure were talking about the same woman? She was very open. Plain to see how she feels about Nick.”
“What? They’ve been friends since junior high. I’ve never noticed any interest between the two of them. Well, Mia. I suppose she’s been interested.”
“I guess I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Well, whatever’s going on with Mia and Nick is none of my business. Although, I hope you’re wrong.”
Chapter 11
Holed up in the rundown motel room, listening to the air conditioner hum and the couple in the next room knock the headboard against the wall during their lunchtime romp, Jackson still couldn’t drown out the sound of Kinsley’s sobs. He sat staring intently at the audio equipment. Listening was an intrusion. Kinsley wasn’t some stranger, so he couldn’t easily distance himself from what he was hearing. It made him a little sick inside to imagine how she might feel knowing he was listening to her most private moments. Some things, like the interaction Kinsley and Max had earlier, should remain