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Shannon
The private investigator looked nothing like she had imagined. With barn door width and a thick mustache, he could’ve moseyed out of an old western. He only needed a Stetson and chaps to make a killer cowboy. His name matched the character: Everette Walker.
“To be clear, Mrs. Knight,” he said, returning her attention to the present, “you want to hire me to prove your husband didn’t cheat.”
“Correct. The entire situation is suspect.”
“Hmm.” Walker assessed her with a cool, cynical stare, and she tried not to squirm. “I thought I’d heard and seen it all.” He held out a hand. “Let me see the photos.”
She passed him the manila folder, hoping he wouldn’t notice her trembling. “Can you see if the photos are fake?”
Walker didn’t comment as he lifted the flap and slid out the eight-by-ten photographs. Shannon hadn’t looked at the photos since the day seven months ago when she found them under a windshield wiper. Besides, the images had burned into her mind and replayed without conscious effort. Photos captured her husband kissing a blonde woman outside a local bistro, on one of his construction sites, outside his office.
“I’ll have my tech guy check the images. He can tell without a doubt if they’re manipulated.” Walker held them up, peered at the details. Shannon looked away, studied the fake-wood paneling while sick rolled in her stomach.
He looked straight at her, his face a serious wall of granite. “I’ll warn you. If the photos are fake, it doesn’t prove his innocence. A spurned lover could hide her true identity while outing him.”
Taking deep breaths, she withheld a rush of tears. She’d had months of practice. Mr. Walker was cynical, but then Shannon couldn’t imagine what all he’d seen in this line of work. “Or someone could want to hurt us, ruin our marriage.” She clutched at that hope, that possibility.
“What’s your theory?” He sat back, draping an arm lazily over the top edge of the chair. His demeanor didn’t fool her. Everette Walker radiated tension, quiet strength.
“About seven months ago, my father fired a sleazy, crooked lawyer, Guy LaRose. That’s around the time I found the envelope.” Shannon had just had a baby. She had been hormonal, emotional, afraid Lucas succumbed to a beautiful woman even if he regretted it later. It was the perfect time for an emotional attack. “Since then, LaRose has printed lies about the O’Hanrahan company, my family, in revenge. At a gala, he grabbed my brother’s fiancée to force a kiss. He manhandled the new company lawyer at a café and claimed to have a source to ruin our family image. It’s too coincidental.”
Walker’s eyes narrowed. “Did you have contact with this man?”
Shannon rubbed damp palms down the thighs of her jeans. Gah, could this get more awful? “I never told my family, not even Lucas, but LaRose...cornered me in the office one day and made nasty comments, touched me. I kneed him and threatened if he ever touched me again, I would file a police report. He left me alone after that, but it gives him motive.”
“I’d say so.” A tightened jaw suggested he had plenty to say, but didn’t. “It’s possible this lawyer uncovered an affair. Has your husband ever given you reason to doubt his fidelity?”
And just like that, excruciating images flashed through her mind. The thought of Lucas with someone else, touching her, kissing her, stabbed through Shannon, pierced the raw wound over and over again. But she didn’t want Walker to know. She wanted Walker to think she was certain of Lucas’s innocence. Her pride and her upbringing insisted she hide any private shame, any weakness.
A tight ball clogged her throat, and she took a breath to ease the pressure before trying to speak. “The pictures were a complete shock.” Her husband cheating wasn’t something she had ever imagined possible. She had trusted Lucas, thought he was a man of integrity and honor, a devoted father. It was one thing to know your husband is a scumbag and another to have your foundation ripped from beneath your feet.
She took another breath, squeezed her knees under the cover of the desk between her and Walker. “I’ve fought with myself for months. For my marriage to survive, to move forward, I need to know for sure. If he’s innocent, I need to know who is trying to destroy us.”
She’d run out of time. With her family’s reputation and legacy threatened, she couldn’t ride the emotional teeter totter.
Mr. Walker remained silent, brooding, and ran a hand over his mustache. Then he pulled a legal pad from a drawer and tossed it across his desk to land in front of her. “Write this lawyer’s name, any information you have on him. I’m aware of your family’s money and position in Olde Towne society. Make a list of anyone you think could be against your family. Have any women shown interest in your husband? I need your husband’s personal information. Where does he work? What vehicle does he drive? Where is he living?”
A smile burst across his face, followed by a rumbling laugh. “I could use a little positivity in my life, Mrs. Knight.” He shook his head as he chuckled. “We’re proving a husband is faithful! If this case doesn’t beat all.”
She wrote while he rummaged through a file drawer.
“I work a legit investigation company, Mrs. Knight. Everything I do is legal. I can’t break into a house or access private information. I can’t tap a phone line like they do in the movies.” He placed a few pens and a sheet of paper on the desktop. “These are voice-activated recording devices. You can bug his vehicle and his home. I can get information from you I can’t get myself. If you turn the pens into me, the techs will listen to the recordings. My team will research public records and look for hidden assets. Detectives will watch his place and his business. You can help by using these apps to follow his movements.”
He tapped a thick forefinger against the sheet of paper. “Report to me any unusual patterns, any personal residences or offices he frequents, any restaurants if he drives the extra mile. Since you know his habits, you may pick up on something my investigators miss. I can go to his business and leave a listening device in a public area where people don’t expect privacy.” He held out his hand. A paperclip-sized rectangular box sat in his palm.
Shannon picked it up, turned it over. “This is a spy device?”
“Yes, mam. It’s a tracker for his vehicle. I use apps on my phone and tablet that sync with these devices to follow him. Do I have your permission to proceed?”
“Of course, whatever you need. If you’re proving he isn’t cheating, how will this help? Shouldn’t you be investigating the lawyer?”
“I will. Same as I’m doing with Lucas Knight, I’ll do with the lawyer and anyone else you suspect. This is a personal attack. It’s likely the person responsible is in your husband’s life. Or yours.” He held out a contract for her to sign. “This outlines my fee.”
She read through the contract and signed.
When she held it across the desk, he gave her a serious, dark look. “I can’t guarantee the answers you want or a happy ending.”
“I understand.” She held his gaze. “I have to know either way.”
He demonstrated how to activate the pen recorder. “It records automatically with voices for twelve hours. If you place one in his house and vehicle, we should catch anything obvious within a few days. I’ll place a device in his business and poke around while I’m at it.”
She took two pens and stashed them in her hobo bag. “I’m sorry for the person who has to listen to hours of conversation.”
“That’s why I’m the boss.”
––––––––
SHANNON CALLED HER mother while she drove through Olde Towne’s historic center. “How’re the kids? Can they stay a couple more hours?”
“Yes, honey. We’re having fun.” Bethany sounded amused. “I did raise the three of you. Stop worrying and enjoy your day.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She hung up before Bethany could pick up on her emotions.
Shannon appreciated her mother, but that didn’t mean she wanted Bethany involved in her personal issues with Lucas. Before Shannon knew it, she’d have both dominant, strong-willed parents interfering with their idea of what was best. Typical parent behavior and proof of their love and support, but it was important for Shannon to be independent and strong within her own self.
Bethany and Patrick had interfered with her older brother Brennan, costing him Freesia for a brief but painful time. Brennan had inherited more than his fair share of masculine O’Hanrahan genes. As sweet as he could be, Brennan had a streak of steel and a temper to match. For a second, Shannon wasn’t sure he could forgive Bethany, but family mattered to Freesia. Her gentle personality helped ease the tension.
Her baby brother Declan got himself a fiancée without their parents’ involvement, which shouldn’t be surprising since they accepted Declan as a wildcard. He didn’t own an ounce of ambition and could be a hermit, holed up in his cabin with art supplies. Elle was good for Declan because they balanced each other. Their issues came from Elle’s layers of emotional shielding. A smile tilted the corners of Shannon’s lips as she thought of her son Cody’s role in bringing Declan and Elle together.
Shannon had no intention of letting outside influence come between her and Lucas any more than it already had, which brought her back to the hope someone had faked terrible photos to destroy their relationship. Part of her thought Lucas cheating was impossible. Part of her feared proving it was true. Now that she’d started an investigation, she had nowhere to move except forward.
Punching on the satellite radio, she refocused. She sang along to show tunes while maneuvering the twisty historic streets of Olde Towne. It didn’t take long for memories to catch up. The song pumping through the speakers betrayed her.
She and Lucas had shared their lives so completely she couldn’t escape the memories. All kinds of normal, everyday things affected her, sometimes when she least expected it.
Lucas enjoyed music, and nothing stopped him from singing with abandon even in public, like the grocery store aisle. He found Shannon’s love of show tunes amusing while she hated the country music Lucas belted out in his smooth voice. Her attention fell on the CD case sitting on the passenger seat.
As an anniversary gift the year before, Lucas had made her a mixed collection of the twangiest country songs imaginable just to hear her make fun of the songs with fake, ridiculous lyrics. She could make him laugh until he cried. It was one of their things she missed every day.
She missed the warmth of his laugh and the spark of humor in his eyes.
She missed him.
“Stop it.” She punched the button to change the music station. The soft feelings sank until she could face the world with dry eyes and outward calm.
After parking around the corner from La Petite Café, she took a moment to gather her thoughts. She had a lunch date with Pete, an old college friend who had offered her a job teaching psychology at the nearby Morrisville college. Pulling down the visor, she checked her makeup and smoothed her eyebrows. “You can do this.”
Lucas had never been keen on her friendship with Pete, and she hadn’t discussed the job offer with him. Should she call Lucas? Shannon’s eyes slid from the accusing reflection. If Lucas cared, he shouldn’t have cheated. If he cheated. Her gut clenched, and she breathed through the ache.
She had completed a master’s degree in psychology after marrying Lucas. Once their son Cody started school, she took a part-time job and earned a teacher’s certificate. As an O’Hanrahan, education mattered, but she’d never dreamed she would depend on the degree.
When Pete mentioned a position seven or eight months before, she’d been gratified and flattered, but the timing had been wrong. Now... With the separation from Lucas and baby Gretchen weaned, Pete’s offer became an opportunity she couldn’t ignore. She caught her reflection again before flipping up the visor. “Be honest. You’ve been home full time since Gretchen’s birth and can’t resist.”
She climbed out of the car and started down the busy sidewalk toward the café entrance.
When she entered and spotted Pete sitting in the center of the restaurant, she forced down the doubts and moved forward with a wide smile. They had been good friends in college and kept in touch through email and occasional phone calls. Pete had done well for himself and moved up the political ladder at their old alma mater to run the Social Sciences Department. He didn’t look a day older than the last time she’d seen him at college graduation, and his round-cheeked cherub face lit up as he waved.
“It’s wonderful to see you.” Pete pulled her into a swift hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“Why don’t you visit? I’d love for you to meet my kids.” She ordered water from the hovering server. “You’re only a couple towns away, you know.”
“We both know why I don’t visit,” he said with a boyish smile. “How are things between you and Lucas? Have you resolved your problem?”
Her smile dropped, and she focused on smoothing a cloth napkin across her lap. “Lucas never said you couldn’t visit, Pete. And no, not yet. Hopefully, I’ll have things figured out soon.”
Lucas had agreed to keep the separation a secret from everyone except family. That conversation, and the devastation on his face, came flooding into her mind. He had begged her to trust his innocence. Desperate for a distraction, she took a sip of water.
Telling Pete had felt safe since he seemed far away. Now it felt like a mistake, a betrayal of Lucas’s trust, which infuriated her since his betrayal caused the separation. It was unfair and maddening how she suffered guilt over Lucas’s pain when he... Shannon forced herself to focus on Pete’s face. At least she hadn’t told Pete why they separated.
“Lucas is a fool to lose you.” Pete’s hand covered hers, and he gave her an overly warm, soft look. “You’re a gem, Shannon.”
What was he doing? She pulled away, wiped her hand on the napkin. “So, the job. You said it’s opening next fall term.”
“Right. You’d be part-time, three days a week.”
They ordered lunch and chatted while they ate. After the server cleared their plates, Pete described how nearby Morrisville had grown since their college days.
His expression turned soft and melty as he leaned close. “We make a great team. Remember studying in the library? Remember Friday nights at the pizza joint? You’re in all my favorite college memories.”
Who replaced her college buddy with this flirt? She laughed, unsure what else to do.
He laid out the requirements for the position, showed her the offer in writing, and pulled a file from his briefcase. “This is the basic syllabus.”
She read it while he ordered dessert. Thankfully, the course was a foundation class, and her shoulders loosened. The server placed a cherry drizzled cheesecake in front of her, and she looked up at Pete. “My favorite.”
“I know.” He grinned, smug.
The minute they finished dessert, she stood. “Thanks for lunch, Pete. I’ll let you know about the offer.”
“Hey, no need to rush.” Pete pulled her in for a hug and held her against him, rubbing her back.
The scent of licorice filled the space between them. She’d forgotten how Pete constantly sucked the strong candy she couldn’t stand. Her body remained stiff in his hold, and she patted his back a couple times. What should she do? This was Pete, and she didn’t want a scene.
Still holding her, he asked, “Can I visit you?”
Before she could think of a polite but firm response or pull out of Pete’s unnerving hold, a presence loomed over her. Shannon looked up into glaring, sparking blue eyes and gasped. “Lucas!”
Lucas
He shouldn’t intervene this close to losing control, but he couldn’t stand watching Peter Hollis touch Shannon for another second. “Get your hands off my wife.”
Pete stepped back, his pinkish complexion blanching.
Lucas felt his lip curl. What a feminine swine. He knew Pete had a thing for Shannon, but she had never believed it. But then, why should Shannon believe him? He was only her husband. Her partner. Her lover.
Shannon stared at him with her mouth parted in surprise.
Seeing her with another man made something inside his chest snap. The pressure had been building for months, but this was raw, violent. “We need to talk.”
She recovered, pushing her shoulders back like a genteel lady. “Stop making a scene. The last thing we need is our photograph flashed across the local newsletter.” With her arm looped through his, she headed for the door. A broad, fake smile plastered across her face. “My family has run through the rumor mill enough thanks to you.”
Always the business. Always the family. His feelings didn’t matter as long as the precious O’Hanrahan legacy wasn’t tainted.
Lucas followed her around the corner of the café building and stopped by her BMW. “This separation wasn’t my doing. If you want to point fingers, look in the mirror, sweetheart.” Lethal heat coursed through him. “As long as we’re married, you’re mine.” He pressed her up against the car door. “I won’t have some other man touching you.”
Her breathing changed with their proximity, and taunting memories swarmed his mind. This was the closest he’d been to his wife in months. “You’re mine,” he repeated as her vanilla scent filled his senses. He wanted to kiss her neck, taste her skin, press his mouth to that sweet spot behind her ear. If he dipped his head, he could taste her. “I can’t stand this, Shannon.”
Fisting his hands, Lucas straightened before he caved to his urges. Uncontrolled, angry, he could hurt her, and he’d vowed to never touch Shannon in anger.
Her brown eyes were huge; her breaths pants. Ah, and her cheeks had gone rosy. He grinned.
“Don’t.” She pushed her fists against his chest. “Don’t touch me, Lucas.”
“You still want me.” He captured a length of her golden hair, pulled it taut. “You can’t hide it. Not from me.”
“You make me sick.”
He forced his lips to smile, as if the words didn’t flay his insides. “We need to talk. I’m done with this.”
Her lips parted with a sharp breath. “What do you mean?”
“When will you be home tonight?”
“Lucas?” A soft, feminine voice sounded down the street. “Is everything ok?”
They both turned. Becca walked toward them, her heels clicking along the sidewalk.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” he said.
“Who’s she?” Shannon asked.
“My assistant. Becca came to work for me right before you had Gretchen, so you never met her.”
“I remember now when you hired her.” Shannon’s eyes narrowed on Becca as she walked back around the corner. “She’s pretty.”
“Don’t start. I’m not the one embracing other people.”
Her eyes flashed. “You have some nerve. I’m not the one in photos kissing—” She cut off her words, swerved away from him, and marched to the driver’s side. “You’re right. This has gone on long enough. Five-thirty.”
“Shannon.”
She ignored him and drove away.
He stood there another minute, his chest tight, his stomach churning. She thought he could hurt her, betray her, defile their love. He loved a woman to the depths of his being who didn’t even know him, didn’t trust him. That hurt, but it tangled with anger, leaving him unsure what he was fighting for.
Shannon had kicked him out, stopped speaking to him, and hadn’t even tried to determine who left the envelope. Lucas thought she would cool off, realize there was no way on earth he’d ever cheat, and they’d be fine. Instead, Lucas found himself trying to reach Shannon through a wall of ice so cold it burned.
He was completely, emotionally exhausted. And he couldn’t do it anymore.
