THE DEVIL YOU KNOW.
by
M. A. Perry
“…but maybe, there is a place somewhere in this world where devils may cry.”
Dante’s Inferno.
PROLOGUE.
He stood alone and unnoticed, unnoticed at least by the person he was here to watch.
As for being noticed by anyone else, well, under normal circumstances most, if not all, of the women present…and maybe even a few men…would have looked his way more than once. But since he wore thick glasses, a graying, untidy moustache with hair to match, stained broken teeth and clothes which were old and shabby, the only reason he would be noticed was to be avoided.
He was getting very bored indeed; if that guy didn’t get on with it soon he would be very tempted to put a bullet in him. The hand shoved inside the dirty raincoat gripped around the handle of the weapon as if tempting him to do it.
To his intense relief the guy was saying, ‘so without further ado we honour those here today who have worked so hard to achieve their ambition. Please show your appreciation for our graduates.’ The applause began and did not stop until the last student stepped up onto the podium to receive her law degree.
The grey haired man stood upright before remembering his supposed stoop and bent his back again. But he applauded louder and longer than anyone else.
The young girl looked over at him curiously and the man ceased clapping and bowed his head. She remained staring at his bent head a moment or two longer a small frown creasing her forehead, before descending the steps and into the waiting arms of a young man. He lifted her off the ground and swung her round while she held her hand to her head keeping the mortar board from falling off and laughing joyously.
The man watched torn between amusement and concern. He would have to look into this young man, make sure he was trustworthy and respectful of the girl he held in the air. Then he smiled as they were joined by other young people all wearing the same mortar boards and gowns and all clutching diplomas in the their fists as though if they let go they would no longer be lawyers licensed to practice law in the state of Washington.
The man watched for a moment longer as the young girl hugged her fellow students and received hugs and pats on the back in return then he walked away so did not see the girl pause in her celebrations and look toward him. He did not see her watch him walk away, he did not see her expression of concern change to affection nor did he see her smile softly.
In his car the man divested himself of the moustache, wig and glasses and took out the fake teeth. He ran his fingers through his thick black hair, looked at himself in the rear view mirror and grinned.
Well, she had done it, good for her. Four years of hard work had paid off and to show for it she would have a job with excellent prospects, doing what she most wanted, helping others like herself. And she would rise to a position of power. Yes, he decided, two years, that would be enough time for her to rise in her chosen career. She would be the youngest D.A. in Washington, or anywhere else. He would personally see to it.
Hennessey turned the key in the ignition, turned on the Enya tape and pulled into traffic well content with the outcome, and with the girl.
CHAPTER 1.
‘I tell you he’s too young, Jonas.’
Her husband rolled his eyes, ‘I was younger than he is now when I first held a gun.’
‘And look how you turned out.’
She squealed as his hands came out and grabbed her around the waist from behind; he swung her up in the air then round to face him.
Before she could protest or admonish him he silenced her with a kiss to her lips that turned her bones to jelly and her limbs to putty, but not her resolve. When he broke the kiss Adela said, ‘nice try, husband but I’m adamant about this. You know my hatred of those things. There’s time enough for him to learn how to use one without you encouraging him.’
Jonas Lando knew well his wife’s hatred and fear of guns, part of him was glad that she felt this way but most of him was impatient with her logic.
Still holding onto her he said, ‘look, don’t you think it wiser to teach him about them while he is still so young?’
She gave him an aggravated look. He saw it and said, ‘he’s going to have to learn about them one day if he’s going to be a cop like his daddy.’
Her expression said, “Good effort.” But vocally she said, ‘then he can learn about them then.’
He gave an exaggerated sigh, ‘why oh why did I have to marry a woman from a country where guns are not allowed, why did I have to marry an English woman.’
‘This had nothing to do with being English; this has to do with my five year old son carrying a dangerous weapon.’
He couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing, ‘he’s not gonna be walking round town with it in a shoulder holster. At her chagrined look he said seriously, ‘this is not just about teaching him to shoot, this is not about fun and games with lethal weapons. This is about teaching him how dangerous they are, it’s about teaching him the dangers of guns, about having respect for them. ‘
She was beginning to weaken he could see, whether she saw the sense in what he’d said or because he was very slowly and seductively running his hands across her backside he wasn’t sure. As much as he wanted her to agree with his…in his view anyway…rational arguments, he hoped that the latter was helping too. He increased the persuasion by whispering to her in his best southern drawl which he knew turned her knees to water.
She moaned and said, ‘you don’t play fair, Mr. Lando.’
‘All’s fair in love and war, Mrs. Lando.’ She pretend smacked his face and he pretend cried out in pain. She said, ‘wimp,’ and stroked his face. He said, ‘so you agree, I can take him to target practise?’
She looked away serious again before looking back and nodding, ‘but please, Jonas, take care won’t you?’
Just as seriously he said, ‘he’s my son, what else would I be?’
She was immediately contrite, ‘I know, I'm sorry. She kissed him, the kiss lasted a full minute before he broke it with a groan saying, ‘it’s 8.30 in the morning, you’re shameless, woman.’
She smiled seductively and whispered in his ear, ‘and don’t you love me for it.’
He slapped her backside and laughing stepped away, ‘I’d best get going, got a prisoner to interview this morning.’
She laughed, ‘don’t tell me, young Tyson again?’
‘Yep. If ever a kid was aptly named it’s that boy.’
‘What was his mother thinking?’
‘Obviously she wasn’t, probably drunk as usual.’
Adela shook her head, ‘poor Tyson, he never had much of a chance did he? What with his mother a drunk and his father in and out of jail most of his son’s life.’
‘Yeah, too bad for the kid. But fighting anything that moves ain’t gonna make his mother give a damn or keep his father outta prison.’
‘No, but his attitude is understandable. He's had a lot to put up with in his eighteen years. I’m sorry for him.’
‘Hey, me too, but last night he broke Teddy Lunstrom’s nose.’
Adela gasped and put her fingers to her own nose, ‘why?’
Lando shrugged, ‘who knows.’
‘Well shouldn’t you find out? He might have been provoked.’
‘Yeah, maybe Teddy sat in his favourite seat in the diner, or took too long finishing his game of pool.’
‘Maybe. But at least hear Tyson’s side of it won’t you?’
Lando looked at his wife his head on one side. She was immediately repentant, ‘I’m sorry, Jonas, of course you will. You always listen to both sides.’
He smiled and once more pulled her to him, ‘it’s okay. But I have to tell you I’m getting real tired of listening to Tyson’s “side.” It’s always someone else’s fault, always someone else provoked him.’
She didn’t smile back but said, ‘he needs a focus in life, something else to take his frustrations out on. He needs a job.’
Lando stiffened then stepped back in alarm. ‘Oh no, woman, not that again. I can’t and won’t recommend him to anyone in town, within a day he’d make me look like a complete idiot, a gullible fool. The first time someone looks at him the wrong way he’ll break their nose.’
Adela laughed, ‘far be it from me to ruin your reputation as a hardhearted and hard headed badass, that’s not what I meant’
He had to smile at her use of the word, “badass.” ‘Oh?’
‘No.’
He frowned perplexed then took two steps back his face a picture of horror. ‘Oh no, no, no, no, he ain’t coming here. I ain’t letting him loose on my animals, they’ve suffered enough.’
She tried to keep her face straight but it was hard when he looked so horror stricken.
‘Come on, Jonas, we need someone.’ They had extended the animal hospital and the outbuildings and now had a small farm.
‘Yeah, we do. I know, why don’t I hire a crew from the nearest prison? ’Cos I tell ya now, they’ll be less trouble than that one kid.’
She pretended to consider this and her face very solemn said, ‘I don’t think so, we already have one con too many here as it is.’
Her husband’s eyes opened very wide and she could contain it no longer she burst out laughing. His eyes immediately narrowed as did the gap between them. He gripped her upper arms firmly in his big rough hands and his tone was menacing as he said, ‘I’m gonna make ya pay for that, lady.’ He deliberately used his best southern drawl which he knew turned her on.
She feigned fear but in reality her heart did a somersault and her skin suffused with goose bumps at his words and tone. She said, ‘oh yeah?’
He stepped even closer so that their faces were only an inch apart, his eyes burned into hers, ‘oh yeah.’
She shivered in his grip he saw it and looked satisfied. ‘But that’s for later.’
‘I’ll look forward to it.’
‘We’ll see.’
She smiled cheekily and he bent his head and took her mouth in a kiss that was punishing yet exciting as hell. He broke the kiss abruptly and said meaningfully, ‘we’ll finish this later.’
She said nothing, she couldn’t, she was still reeling from his words and the kiss. He smiled a wolfish smile and turned and left the cabin leaving her trembling with need of him.
*********
Later that evening Adela and her five year old son Michael, who was the light of his parents' lives, sat curled up on the sofa whilst Michael practised his writing. Michael Charles, named for his maternal grandfather, had his father’s unruly brown hair and dark brown eyes but his mother’s smile. He had his father’s sarcasm and habit of rolling his eyes when irritated but his mother’s soft heart and love of books. Adela swore that the first thing he had ever reached for was one of her books.
Lando had said, ‘oh God, please don’t tell me he’s gonna be a geek.’
She had said, ‘it was one of my crime books so maybe he’ll be a tough, hard nosed cop, like his daddy.’
And sure enough, as soon as Michael could elucidate he told everyone who would listen that he was going to be the best and toughest policeman in all the world, just like his papa.
He plagued his father for stories about his time as a policeman which inevitably made Lando uncomfortable. He dreaded the day his son would find out about his disgrace.
Adela had assured him that he would understand, he would realise that there was much more to his father than that one incident. After all wasn’t he the smartest boy who ever lived. Lando had held her to him filled with gratitude and love thanking God once again for bringing this woman, his wife, his lover, his best friend, his soul mate, the mother of his son into his life.
They had wanted another child but had decided to wait and enjoy Michael’s infancy and young childhood a little longer before trying again. But after more than three years there had been no sign of another child, it was disappointing but also very enjoyable trying.
Adela smiled to herself.
Suddenly, Dante their dog, who was lying in front of the fire, pricked up his ears and a few seconds later they heard Lando’s truck pull up outside. Before Adela could stop him Michael leapt from the sofa and barefooted, headed for the door. He flung it open and dashed across the path to his father who was just closing the door of his truck.
Michael yelled, ‘daddy,’ and threw himself into his father’s arms. Lando caught him and held him high in the air causing Michael to squeal with delight.
Lando said, ‘hey, bud, what’s this, no shoes? Is your momma letting you run around barefoot now?’
He looked over his son’s shoulder at Adela standing on the threshold of the door, hands on her hips in the manner of a very aggravated woman.
Lando said, ‘we gotta get you some new shoes. Or maybe a new momma, one who’ll shod ya better.’
Michael laughed, a sound which pulled at his father’s heartstrings every time. His face became soft and gentle, a look he kept only for his wife and son.
Michael said, ‘no, daddy, not a new mommy. No other mommy’s can read stories like she can.’
This pacified Adela somewhat and her features softened but her voice was firm as she said, ‘Michael Charles Lando, if you’re feet are dirty again after you’ve just had your bath I’ll…I’ll,’ as they both looked at her expectantly she finished, ‘oh I give up.’ Then went back indoors.
Father and son looked at each other grinning and Lando said, ‘no, no new mama, the one we got is pretty perfect.’
Michael repeated, ‘perfec.’ And Laughing they entered the cabin, Dante following closely behind.
Adela was in the kitchen but could hear Michael asking his father about his day. Had he arrested anyone? How many criminals had he thrown in jail? Etcetera. Without looking at them she said, ‘Michael, teeth, hands, feet.’
Michael looked at his father for support but this time he was let down as Lando said, ‘you heard the lady, teeth, hands, feet.’
Michael gave his father his very best, “oh please, just ten more minutes,” look. But Lando just looked at him pointedly so he sighed heavily, slipped from his father's arms and headed for the bathroom.
But he pulled up sharply as Lando said, ‘Michael?’ He turned to his father, ‘your mother has given her permission for you to come to the target range.’
Michael’s eyes opened wide and he smiled that smile so like his mother’s that Lando felt his heart contract. Michael then looked at his mother who smiled back a little uncertainly.
He said, ‘thanks, mom. You’re the very, very best mom in the world.’
Her smile was wide now, ‘and not just for reading?’
He shook his head, ‘no, not just for reading,’ his look was mischievous, ‘for making trifles too.’
Lando sniggered then pursed his lips at the look Adela gave him. Then she smiled at them both and nodded towards the bathroom door saying to Michael, ‘go on, go. I’ll be in later to make you a trifle; I mean read you a story.’
Her husband and son laughed heartily at her little joke and she looked away her heart full.
Lando stroked Dante’s head and said, ‘how are ya, old boy?’ Dante wagged his tail and rolled over to be tickled.
Lando came into the kitchen and from behind slipped his arms around his wife’s waist and kissed the back of her neck. She smiled and said, ‘you’re late tonight.’
‘Tell me about it. Got some poachers again in the west woods.’
‘Oh no. Did you catch them?’
He shook his head, ‘next time though, I got a plan.’
She turned to him, ‘please be careful, Jonas. These people are dangerous.’
‘I know, and aren’t I always careful?’
She tipped her head to one side and raised her eyebrows, ‘sometimes you’re so desperate to catch these people, that you can be a little reckless.’
He turned away from her worried eyes, ‘what will you have me do, say, please animal killers, don’t hurt the furry little creatures, they ain’t done you no harm?’
‘No, of course not. I’m just saying…
He cut her off, ‘I know, I’m sorry. And I promise to be careful.’
She looked sceptical but said, ’sit down, your dinner’s ready.’
He kissed her again and went to sit at the table. A few minutes later she brought his dinner to the table and placed it in front of him. He smiled at her as she gently pushed back the unruly thick brown hair from his forehead and sat down.
He started to eat and closed his eyes in appreciation. When they had first been married he marvelled at her numerous talents. She kept house and the books, sewed, knit and cooked, not only cooked but good wholesome food like his grandmother used to. Now of course the vegetables came from the garden she had planted at the back of the house, which Adela had designed and took care of. He had been a vegetarian when they had married and Adela quickly followed his example. They had given Michael a choice; he could eat meat if he wanted too. He opted not too, he spent so much time in the little animal hospital that he could not imagine killing any of them to eat.
Lando looked at her looking at him and thought yeah, the lady has so many talents, not least in the bedroom. She who was still very shy of other people, especially strangers, she who was so reserved at least until you got to know her, she who was so refined and dignified, a lady, was a firebrand in the bedroom. All her inhibitions and shyness were lost in that room, and in the barn, oh yes, the barn, in fact that was her favourite place. She said it made her feel as though she was in a period movie where he was the rough, tough but sensitive outlaw and she was the lady of the manor.
She stood up suddenly and went into the kitchen where she began washing up. She had changed somewhat in the six years they had been married but one thing that would never change was her insatiable desire for neatness. She couldn’t bear to leave dishes, or anything else come to that, lying around uncleaned or not put away.
Although she wasn’t quite as bad, for instance she no longer whipped his plate from in front of him as soon as he’d eaten the last mouthful, so that was something to be thankful for at least, but as now she still washed up immediately after cooking.
From the kitchen she asked, ‘so how did it go with Tyson Belfour?’
He said, ‘when I wasn’t hunting poachers I spent most of today trying to drum some sense into him.’
She turned to him, ‘any luck?’
He looked sideways at her, ‘oh yeah. He promised to behave from now on, no more drinking, no more fighting, no more shoplifting. In fact I left him talking to the minister about doing missionary work in Africa. But only after he’s done a stint counselling young offenders at the juvenile facility in Birmingham.’
After five years, eleven months and three days of marriage to Jonas Lando, Adela had become accustomed to her husband’s sarcasm. So her expression deadpan she asked, ‘oh, where about in Africa was he thinking of?’
His head snapped up and his eyes narrowed. She turned from him so that he wouldn’t see the huge grin splitting her face, but he could guess at it.
He said what he always said when she turned the tables, ‘huh.’
When she had finished washing up she brought his dessert over to him. He looked at the apple pie and whipped cream then up at her and said, ‘what, no trifle?’
She imitated him, ‘huh.’
He laughed and she joined in. Just then Michael called from his room, ‘mommy, I’m in bed.’ They looked at each other and smiled. Adela said, ‘I’ll go, you come in when you’re finished.’
He nodded and she left the room to read Michael his bedtime story. As was their routine Lando would join them in a few minutes to say goodnight to Michael but unbeknownst to them he would stand outside the bedroom door and listen to Adela sing a lullaby to Michael. He loved this moment of the day, listening to her beautiful voice low and soft lulling Michael into sleep, it made his heart contract and a lump to form in his throat. Never could he have imagined that he could feel this way about a woman, that he would one day stand outside a door listening to his wife sing a lullaby to his son. This then was what love was, beautiful and profound, pure and simple.
Later that evening Adela and Lando sat in companionable silence in the living room, Adela on the sofa reading and Lando on the armchair whittling away at a piece of wood, he was making toy soldiers for Michael. Suddenly and for the second time that evening Dante’s ears pricked up, the only difference was that this time he growled letting them know that whoever was calling was not a regular visitor.
Adela looked at the clock which said 10.35, who would be calling at this hour? Lando stood and took his rifle from the cupboard where he kept it locked away from Michael. He said to Adela, ‘stay here.’
She stood up but stayed where she was ready to run into Michael’s room should there be trouble.
Lando with a newer, slightly braver Dante walked to the window, peered out into the gloom and saw a blue Sedan parked next to his truck. He cursed again having that damn road put through from the edge of the woods to the cabin. As he watched a man got out of the car and looked around him. Lando narrowed his eyes; he couldn’t quite make the man out in the dark but something about his height and stance looked familiar.
The man took a deep breath and began walking towards the house.
Lando looked back at Adela who stood her hands clasped in front of her. He tuned to the door and before the man could knock Lando thrust it open his rifle pointing directly at the man’s chest.
The stranger held up his hands and for a man with a rifle pointing at his heart said quite calmly, ‘I know it’s been a while, Mr. Lando but I hoped you might recognise me as one of the good guys.’
‘I do recognise you. As for being one of the good guys, well, that’s a matter of opinion and don’t mean I still won’t shoot you.’
The man rather than being angry or intimidated laughed, ‘well, while you decide can we talk?’
‘Bit late for a social call ain’t it?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry about that, took me a while to find you, you’re rather well hidden here.’
‘That’s how we like it.’
The man smiled and said, ‘can I come in? What I have to say won’t take long I promise.’
Lando hesitated then lowered his rifle before stepping back and opening the door wider for him to enter. The stranger said, ‘thank you, Mr. Lando.’ He entered and Lando closed and locked the door.
Lando held out his hand indicating the man should go into the living room. As he walked further into the room he saw Adela and Dante who was standing in front of her as if to protect her from this stranger. As the man approached he growled and Adela laid a hand on his back and whispered, ‘shush, Dante.’
The man smiled and Lando said, ‘this is my wife, Adela, Adela, this is Special Agent Jake Montayne of the FBI’
CHAPTER 2.
Two thoughts instantly went through Adela’s brain, one was flimsy and trivial the other the exact opposite. The first was that the FBI agent had the same first name as one of her favourite literary heroes Jake Llewellyn. The second, and much more serious, was that the last time Montayne’s name had been mentioned was six years earlier when her husband had been interrogated by him.
Suddenly the past with all its horror rushed up to meet her. She saw herself and her friend Detective Ellis Leyton in Glissando’s dungeon and Ellis’s screams while he was being whipped by Glissando’s henchman. She saw herself running for her life along with Ellis, Hennessey the assassin and her now husband, Jonas Lando. She saw herself lying on the ground a knife sticking out of her side and blood everywhere. That awful, horrifying time still haunted her dreams but even so she could not regret all that had happened, after all it had brought her her husband.
Even so, with the presence of Agent Jake Montayne in her home that time came back to her now with such force she felt sick and dizzy.
Both men noticed her reaction and Lando went to his wife’s side and put his arm around her in a reassuring gesture. Agent Montayne said, ‘Mrs. Lando, there’s no need for alarm, this has nothing whatsoever to do with what happened six years ago I assure you. But I’m very sorry I gave you cause for concern.’
His sincere apology and obvious guilt at causing her distress brought her back to reality and she visibly relaxed and stepping forward held out her hand to the agent saying, ‘I’m sorry, Agent Montayne, I’m not usually so nervy honestly, it’s just that…
As he took her hand he cut short her apology, ‘please, Mrs. Lando no need to apologise, I should not have come at this late hour but I have to be back in Birmingham early tomorrow morning and I’m rather short on time. But again I apologise for unsettling you.’
He smiled a smile that oozed charm, but she had learned long ago not to trust men who used their charm like a weapon, especially men as attractive as this one. She had learned the hard way that is was all just a smoke screen.
Now that she had relaxed a little she studied the agent more closely. He was very tall maybe six two the same as her husband. He had blonde hair which was quite long for an FBI agent; maybe they let special agents grow it longer to differentiate them from ordinary, not so special agents. He had bright pale blue eyes and the whites were very white, he looked Nordic, Danish or Swedish heritage perhaps. He was very stylishly dressed in a black shirt and black jacket which emphasised his powerful looking shoulders.
He said, 'It's an honour to meet you at last, Mrs. Lando.'
She looked surprised then embarrassed but said, ‘please sit down, Agent Montayne. Would you like some coffee…or tea?’
‘Coffee would be great thank you, Mrs. Lando. I’ve been on the road all day and it might help keep me awake for the drive home.’ He smiled that wide smile that showed his perfect white teeth.
As Adela went into the kitchen Lando said, ‘It’s less than a two hour journey or so from Birmingham to Alban. You musta got pretty lost.’
Montayne laughed a deep, rich laugh, ‘no, I had other places and people to visit before I headed here. It actually only took half the day to find Alban.’
From the kitchen Adela laughed and Lando gave a half smile.
Montayne patted Dante on the head or tried too but the dog jumped then got up and went to sit by the fire. Montayne grinned and said, ‘this is some place you have here, Mr. Lando, I wish I had been able to see it in daylight, but even in the dark it’s really very beautiful.’
Lando felt a rush of pride at his words and thawed towards the man ever so slightly but his main emotion was suspicion and like Adela anxiousness. An FBI agent seeking him out in the night was not here to compliment him on his home nor to reminisce about old times. Whatever he wanted boded no good for him that much he knew. He said, ‘it's my wife’s influence.’
Montayne turned to Adela and said, ‘well it’s a credit to you, Mrs. Lando. And this cabin is very pretty, I love the quaint, old fashioned design of the furniture, it adds a certain…homeliness.’
Adela smiled at him well pleased and for a moment Montayne saw what Lando, Ellis Leyton and even the killer Hennessey had seen in this woman.
Lando, not liking the look on the agent's face drew his attention, ‘yeah, she has style but if you see anything out of place or a speck of dust please don’t mention it she’ll have the vacuum cleaner out before you can raise your feet from the floor.’
Adela from the kitchen said, ‘or make you do it.’
Montayne laughed but it quickly faded as he caught Lando’s expression as his eyes rested on his wife. His features were soft so that he was hardly recognisable from the man he had met in the interrogation room almost six years ago. He once more questioned the wisdom or the ethics of asking Lando what he had come here to ask.
He asked about the animals and showed great interest in Lando’s replies until Adela brought the coffee over in a pot with three cups and saucers. Montayne was surprised at the formality of it. She poured his cup first and handed it to him; he thanked her and took a sip then said, ‘this is good coffee, Mrs. Lando.’
She smiled warmly, ‘thank you, Agent Montayne. Would you like something to eat?’
Montayne would indeed have liked something but he need to get down to business so he said, ‘that’s very kind of you, Mrs. Lando, but I’m fine thank you.’
Somehow he knew she guessed he was lying but she merely nodded. She handed her husband his coffee he nodded his thanks then turned to Montayne and said, ‘okay, Agent Montayne, why don’t you tell us why you’re here?’
Montayne looked momentarily taken aback by his directness although he didn’t know why he should be; he had interviewed the man and found him to be forthright and honest, well honest to a point anyway. He put down his cup looked at Adela then back to Lando before saying, ‘I think it would be best if we spoke in private, Sheriff Lando.’
Adele put her cup down and made to rise but was prevented by her husband's hand on her arm. Looking intently at Montayne he said, ‘this is not the F.B.I, Agent Montayne, there are no secrets here.’
Montayne raised his eyebrows then looking a trifle embarrassed turned to Adela who did not look the least surprised by her husband’s bluntness. He said, ‘I’m sorry, Mrs. Lando, it was nothing personal against you. It’s just that some of what I have to say I thought may upset you; I only meant to spare you that’s all.’
She looked at him feeling sorry for his obvious discomfort but at the same time a horrible sinking feeling began to grow in her. She said, ‘that’s all right, Agent Montayne. I know you’re used to doing things in a certain way. Think nothing of it.’
‘Thank you.’ He turned to Lando, ‘I’m sorry, Sheriff Lando.’
Something about Montayne’s expression when her husband had said what he had seemed off to Adela, but she couldn’t quite figure out what.
Lando nodded his acceptance of the apology and said, ‘so why don’t you do as I said and tell us what brought you to Alban?’
Montayne took a deep breath, ‘a week ago a guy contacted us with very important information about a certain crime boss we’ve been trying for years to nail without success. This guy says he has the low down on this particular scumbag, dates, times, places, names. At the moment he’s in protective custody, but obviously we need to get him out of the place he’s in now to Alabama so we can have him close to home. Of course after he testifies he and his family will go into WITSEC,' he looked at Adela, 'that's the...
'I know what it is, Agent Montayne.' Adela interjected.
Montayne looked taken aback then smiled.
Lando said impatiently, ‘what does this have to do with me?’
Montayne looked at Lando then at Adela before taking another deep breath, ‘the problem is the guy doesn’t trust us, he believes…and I hate to admit it probably correctly…that his boss has government agents working for him. He says he won’t come to Alabama and testify unless his demands are met, that if we try to force him he’ll renege on the deal.’
Lando said, ‘again, what does this have to do with me?’
Montayne looked into Lando's eyes and again hesitated before saying ‘he says he won’t come to Alabama unless you bring him here.’
Adela’s eyes were very wide as she looked from Montayne to her husband who’s own eyes were narrowed with suspicion as he looked at Montayne. He said, ‘why me?’
Montayne did not answer immediately he was looking at Adela who looked pale and worried. Eventually he looked back at Lando, ‘he says he doesn’t trust anyone else.’
Lando rather brusquely said, ‘don’t be evasive, Agent Montayne, that’s not what I meant and you know it.’
Montayne looked sheepish, ‘you know this guy, Sheriff Lando, from way back, ‘Lando frowned and Montayne finished, ‘his name is John McBride.’
Adela was watching her husband intently as was Montayne who wouldn’t have been surprised if the latter got up and physically threw him out of the house, an action for which he would not blame him.
But Lando’s expression was calm and unreadable. The only sign of his inner turmoil was in his eyes which had grown dark and there was a look in them that Adela had seen before, although not for a long time. It meant he was struggling to contain his anger.
John McBride. She had not heard that name although her husband obviously had.
John McBride. John. Oh God, that was the name of his best friend from years ago, the name of the man who had betrayed him, both with his wife and then to the police.
He had lied to them about Lando’s involvement in his wife’s death and had almost got him sent to prison for murder. Fortunately for Lando he had instead been convicted of negligent homicide and served three years. Although there had been no "only" about it, as an ex policeman Lando had had a very rough time. His time in prison, the betrayal of both his wife and friend, his wife’s death and his part in that, the subsequent snubbing and ridicule by his former colleagues and friends had caused him to shun the human race and hide himself away in his cabin in the woods. The same cabin in which they now lived.
And now Jake Montayne had come in the night brining back that time and its awful memories. Memories he had tried so hard to subdue.
Adela felt a resentment growing in her against Montayne. They had been happy, happier than she had ever believed it was possible to be. And now he had come with that name and all it entailed and thrust the man she loved more than life back into a past he would rather forget, a past where he had been miserable and resentful, angry and lonely.
She said, ‘John McBride, is that your friend who…?’
Without taking his eyes from Montayne’s Lando nodded.
Adela looked at Montayne too, ‘but I thought he worked for Duncan Blakemore, and he’s dead.’
Montayne tore his eyes from Lando’s and looked at her, ‘he is, and McBride did work for him. Although we could never prove that what he did was anything but legit. But after…after the incident in Blakemore’s home and the subsequent bad publicity Blakemore fired him. He found himself out of work and practically unemployable at least in the field he specialised in, no one would hire him. When he got his licence to practise law returned he set up a small law firm in Baton Rouge, dealing in D.U.I’s traffic violations that kind of thing. Then a few years back he was offered a job working for a guy called Whitaker, Jacob Whitaker, as one of his attorneys.
We know Whitaker is into stuff, real bad stuff. Drugs, kiddie porn,’ he paused as Adela tensed; he looked into her eyes, ‘human trafficking.'
Adela visibly blanched this time but did not take her eyes from his. Montayne looked at Lando now, ‘McBride says he had not only heard and seen things but has prove of Whitaker’s shady dealings. Enough to bring him down this time.’
Lando had said nothing through all of this, indeed it seemed as though he was not even listening. On the contrary he was listening, very intently, even with that name going round and round in his head. John McBride, false friend, liar, betrayer. John McBride.
The tension in the room was almost tangible and Montayne was becoming distinctly uncomfortable.
Into the silence Lando spoke, ‘why me?’
‘He says he can trust you to do your duty.’ Montayne replied, ‘to do everything in your power to ensure he arrives safely in Alabama.’
‘He has more faith in my ability to keep my hands from his throat than I do.’
Montayne couldn’t help the chuckle, ‘he says you were a fair man and a dedicated cop, and that the years or what happened will not have changed that. He says that despite how much you might hate him, your innate sense of justice will prevail.’
Lando snorted, ‘where is he now?’
‘New Iberia, Louisiana.’
Lando nodded then said quietly but firmly, ‘no.’
Montayne said, ‘excuse me?’
‘I said no, as in no I ain’t doing it. Find someone else.’
‘There is no one else, at least no one that McBride trusts.’
‘Too bad. Look, Agent Montayne, my detective days are long behind me. Now I’m just a small town sheriff. Back then I had no responsibilities and never wanted any; I could risk my safety, my life. Now I have a wife and child to care for. I except that you’re just doing your job, your loyalty is to your agency and to your government, mine is to my family.’
Montayne understood Lando’s decision very well. Who would want to leave their wife and son, this beautiful place? Who would risk all that for a man who had lied and deceived and betrayed him in the worst possible way?
But he had come all this way and he at least had to try to change his mind. He said, ‘there’ll be little or no danger, Sheriff Lando and you won’t be going in alone. An F.B.I agent will be with you at all times. She’s very experienced and very tough.’
Lando shook his head, ‘this is not about the danger or having extra protection, this is about me not wanting to go. You’ll just have to find another way.’
Montayne sighed, ‘there is one other thing you might want to consider before you make your final decision.’
‘I already did.’
‘All right. But you might be interested to know this anyway.’ Lando shook his head in exasperation but waved his hand indicating that Montayne go ahead although it would do him no good.
‘Thank you. McBride has told us that in return for immunity from prosecution he will tell the truth about what happened the night your wife died.’
Adela’s eyes swung to her husband’s face as he snapped, ‘I already know what happened, I was there remember.’
‘McBride says that it didn’t go down the way he said it did, that he lied about certain things.’
‘I know that too.’
‘And that there is something about that night that you don’t know and that he’ll tell the truth which will completely exonerate you.’
Lando frowned perplexed, ‘exonerate me from what? I know what I did. Even if he tells the truth about the way it went down, that he pulled a gun on me first, I still killed Adrianne, there’s no denying that. I never did.’
‘Well he says there’s more to it that you know…or remember.’
Lando’s frowned deepened and he shook his head in exasperation, ‘McBride is full of it. But if you guys want to fall for his lies because it might get you what you want then that’s your problem. Just keep me out of it.’
Montayne said, ‘aren’t you just the teensiest bit interested in hearing what he has to say? It could throw new light on your case, in your involvement in your wife’s…in what happened. We might be able to overturn the conviction, wipe the slate clean. You could even become a detective again.’
Lando gave a hollow laugh, ‘why would I want to do that?’
‘I’m not saying you do, just that you could if you wanted. And just think, your son won’t grow up knowing that his father served time for killing his wife. That must be worth something.’
He realised as soon as the last word was out of his mouth that he’d gone too far, his desperation had caused him to be tactless not to mention downright stupid.
He opened his mouth to apologise but Lando obviously holding onto his temper with difficulty said, ‘it’s getting late and we’re early risers,’ he stood up, ‘so if you’ve said all you have to say, or even if you haven’t, it’s time you left.’
Montayne looking very embarrassed stood too, ‘I apologise, Mr. Lando for that last remark. I never meant to imply…to…’he floundered, ‘I’m sorry.’ He looked at Adela, ‘I’m sorry, ma’am.’
Although she had been angry at his words Adela felt sorry for him. She rose from the armchair and said, ‘Jonas is right, it is very late.’ Montayne felt awful but was completely pole axed when she added, ‘and you must be exhausted with all the travelling you’ve done today and you have a very long drive back to Birmingham. Why don’t you stay the night?’
Both men looked at her as though she had suggested they all go skinny dipping, with amazement.
Montayne cast a glance at Lando’s annoyed countenance and said, ‘that’s very hospitable of you, Mrs. Lando, but I have to get back to Birmingham tonight, I have an 8.30 meeting.’
Undeterred she went on, ‘so, stay the night and leave at first light, you’ll be back in plenty of time for your meeting.’
Montayne once more looked at Lando as did Adela. She said nothing, she didn’t need to he knew that look in her eyes. He did feel a trifle guilty for the way he had spoken so abruptly to Montayne, even if he had deserved it he was still a guest here. So he joined his invitation to Adela’s, ‘makes sense. These narrow roads can be dangerous to navigate at night, especially if you’re not used to them. If you’re worried about not waking in time don’t be, if we don’t wake you Michael will and if he don’t the animals will.’
Montayne smiled at this as his surprise increased. He did not want to stay, mainly because he didn’t want to make these nice people any more uncomfortable that they already were by his presence. On the other hand the drive back in the dark added to his exhaustion…he had been awake for more than 24 hours…made it very tempting to stay.
He said, ‘well, since you’ve both ganged up on me, I’ll take you up on your kind offer, and thank you.’
Adela smiled her approval and said, ‘I’ll show you to the guest house. We had it built onto the cabin, mainly for Jonas’ sister and her family. They love it here and come to stay quite often. It’s quite self -contained, with en suite bathroom, fridge, T.V and video, everything you’ll need.’
He laughed, ‘careful, ma’am, I may never want to leave.’
She joined in his laughter, ‘you should call your wife and tell her that you’ll be staying the night, in case she’s worried.’
‘Oh there’s no need.’
Adela looked nonplussed, ‘she won’t worry?’
‘No, I mean I don’t have a wife.’
At these words Lando tensed as he always did when a single man came into his wife’s vicinity. He knew it was stupid, he knew he was being irrational but some of what he had gone through with his first wife and her affairs had stayed with him and sometimes his jealousy overwhelmed him, as it did whenever her friend, and yes, he had to say his friend too, Detective Ellis Leyton came to stay. But he had seen the way Montayne looked at her and didn’t like it.
Adela, as though nothing untoward was happening with her husband escorted Montayne to the far end of the room where she unlocked and opened a door. She might not have seemed aware but she knew what Lando was thinking. Sometimes his jealousy made her smile, like now, other times it caused her to feel a great tenderness towards him. But sometimes it worried her.
Montayne turned back and said, ‘thank you, Sheriff Lando for listening and for your hospitality. Goodnight.’
Lando nodded, ‘night.’
They walked down a short hallway and Adela opened a door and Montayne followed her in. He looked around in amazement, he understood now why she had said guest house and not guest room, he had thought it was an English thing. But this was more than a room it was like a small house. There were two bedrooms and a bathroom, in this room was a sofa, a wardrobe, dressing table with a mirror, bedside table and a small table with a T.V and D.V.D player and V.C.R on top. Adela said, ‘there’s a small kitchen through there,’ she pointed towards an archway in the wall, ‘and another room through there with single beds if you prefer them to a double bed.’
‘Oh no, I’ll take the double, I like to spread myself out.’
‘Me too, much to Jonas’ annoyance.’
He laughed and she realising that was too personal blushed which he found very endearing.
She said quickly, ‘you can watch T.V or listen to the radio if you like, and don’t worry about waking us, the walls are soundproofed, Jonas insisted on that.’
They both laughed now. He said, ‘I don’t think I’ll be watching any T.V, I think I’ll go out like a light as soon as my head touches the pillow.’
She smiled and said, ‘well, goodnight, Agent Montayne.’
‘It’s Jake, and goodnight, Mrs. Lando.’
‘Adela.’
He smiled too and she walked out leaving him standing in the homely, cosy room.
Back in the living room Lando had taken the tray into the kitchen and put it on the counter and was just bolting the front door, then he went into their bedroom without looking at her. She turned off the light and followed him. In the bedroom and still without looking at her he said, ‘what, you not gonna wash up you afore coming to bed?’
‘No.’
He said nothing but went into the bathroom and when he emerged a few minutes later she was sitting on the bed as though she had been waiting for him. He began taking off his clothes.
She said very softly, ‘you’re angry.’
‘Yep.’
‘With me?’
He did look at her now frowning, ‘why would I be angry with you?’
She shrugged, ‘because I asked Agent Montayne to stay.’
His eyes widened as if taken aback, ‘woman, I wouldn’t be surprised if you asked Hannibal Lecter to stay.’
She smiled, ‘even I’m not that hospitable.’
He smiled too until she said, ‘Jonas…
He cut her off, ‘don’t, Adela.’
‘Don’t what?’
‘Don’t try to talk me into it.’
‘Why would I try to talk you into leaving us, to go on what might be a dangerous mission?’
‘Because of what happened six years ago, because of Olivia. Because there’s another evil bastard like Glissando out there needs stopping.’
She flinched at the name but said calmly, ‘tell me one thing, did you refuse because of us, because of Michael and me?’
He looked into her eyes, ‘that was the main reason, yes.’
‘But not the only reason.’ He shrugged and she went on, ‘so if you didn’t have us you’d go.’
He stopped unbuttoning his shirt, ‘no.’
She gave a small smile, ‘yes you would. Because the cop in you, the man in you knows it’s the right thing to do.’
His face darkened as he said very quietly but very firmly, ‘I don’t want to talk about this, Adela, I’m not going and there’s an end to it.’
Jonas…
He cut her off again this time very sharply, 'Adela, don’t.’
Her eyes opened wide in surprise. Not since they had first met had he snapped at her or refused to discuss an issue, especially one as serious as this. He put his foot down yes, particularly where her money was concerned. He still felt uncomfortable about her vast wealth, preferring to work hard and pay their way as he had always done.
And sometimes he was very firm when she sided with the youngsters who found themselves in trouble with the law, and that meant with him. Kids like Tyson Belfour. He told her she had a soft heart and if she had her way there would be no young people in jail but given jobs or a scholarship instead. She didn’t think this of course, she knew that it was not as simple as that, but she sometimes told him he was too harsh with them. But he argued that he was doing his job and she should let him get on with it. Although she had to say he very often took in board what she had said and not dealt with the youngster as harshly as he could have. But they rarely exchanged angry words and never fought.
Now she was hurt that he had dismissed the subject without even listening to her side of it.
She continued to look at him for a moment then without a word rose and went into the bathroom where she closed the door very firmly. She stayed in there longer than she would normally have and when she emerged she was wearing pyjamas something she rarely wore even in winter preferring a short nightie or more often than not nothing at all.
She liked to walk around the room naked so that he could watch her, and he did, with great enthusiasm.
When she emerged from the bathroom he was still standing where she had left him his shirt open to the waist. She didn’t look at him as she walked past him to the bed but still he noticed her eyes were very bright as though fighting back tears. Any other woman would have cried in the bathroom but not her, she rarely cried, and certainly not to get her way and she never sulked, all these things he loved her for.
As she walked past him he caught her arm and said, ‘honey, I’m sorry. I never meant to snap at you nor to hurt you.’
She turned to him and said, ‘Jonas, we’ve been through a lot together, more than most couples. We have no secrets from each other, there’s nothing about me you don’t know and nothing about you that is hidden from me. If you won’t explain yourself to me or even listen to my side of things then…then I’ll think you don’t trust me. That as soon as something serious happens, something personal to you you’ll shut me out.’
He stared at her in stunned silence seeing the pain and hurt in her eyes. He slowly brought her to him and held her tight against his body her cheek against his naked chest.
He stroked her hair and whispered softly, ‘my love, it was never my intention to shut you out, believe me, and if I trust anyone in this world it’s you. It’s just that this, what Montayne is asking, it makes me afraid.’
She raised her head from his chest to look at him, ‘you? Afraid?’
‘Yeah, me. I’m afraid that the past will encroach on what we have, what I have, you and Michael. And I am angry, not at you but at Montayne for coming here. At McBride for suddenly springing a conscience, for bringing me into his life again. But I’m angrier still that Montayne’s coming here has brought back memories for you and all you suffered because of men like Jacob Whitaker.’
The look she gave him was filled with so much compassion and respect and love that he felt his throat tighten and like her had to fight to hold back the tears. She brought her head down to his and kissed his lips softly, lovingly. She ran her hands down his bare chest and played with the hair there.
He made a sound in his throat one she was very familiar with. He said, 'why did ya put on ya jammies?’
‘So you could take them off.’
She felt the rumble of laughter in his chest as he said, ‘and there was me thinking it was 'cos you was mad at me.’
She joined her laughter to his as she experienced that familiar tingly feeling when he used that deep southern cadence, which he didn't all the time, only when angry, trying to make a point or wanting to turn her on. She kissed him deeply until he whisked her off her feet and laid her none too gently down on the bed a move which betrayed his eagerness. He very quickly and deftly divested her of her pyjamas almost as quickly and deftly as she divested him of his pants and shirt.
His face in her hair he said, ‘do you forgive me?’
‘No.’
He smiled devilishly and said, ‘wrong answer.’ Then he bent his head to her breast and took the nipple between his teeth biting gently so that she moaned aloud. He did the same to the other all the time rubbing his thumb against her already wet womanhood.
He said, ‘well?’
‘I’m getting there.’
‘Oh I know you are.’ As he entered her she writhed and squirmed and cried out, ‘Jonas, oh Jonas.’
‘Hum?’
‘I forgive you.’
He laughed as they came together in ecstasy and love.
**********
At 6.15 the following morning Montayne was in the Lando’s kitchen when they came out of their bedroom Adela pining up her hair laughing and Lando smiling.
The sound of their laughter filled Montayne with an ache he thought he had subdued a long time ago. Part of him was glad to be alone, to wake up alone to go to bed alone, his job didn’t put aside much time for a love life, a wife, or even a lover of any long standing. He was away from home so much, too much. There was no one to worry about him, no one to greet him with a kiss each evening or wish him a nice day, and he hadn’t really missed that, until now. But having spent time, even such a short time, with these two people who obviously loved each other gave him pause for reflection. One day he would be too old for the job and who would be waiting at home for him, not a woman like Adela Faraday Lando that was for sure. Jonas Lando was one lucky S.O.B.
Adela stopped laughing as she caught sight of him but still smiling said, ‘good morning, Agent Montayne, I mean Jake. Did you sleep all right?’
He studied her face, a face fresh from good loving, and Lando looked like the cat who had gotten the best of the cream. He said, ‘good morning, Adela, and yes, very well thank you, that bed is mighty comfortable.’ He turned to Lando, ‘good morning, Sheriff Lando.’
Lando nodded in response. He was a little annoyed by their informal greeting to each other. Montayne said, ‘I hope you don’t mind but I made a pot of coffee, you said you were early risers so I knew you wouldn’t be far behind me.’
Adela answered, ‘not at all, and coffee would be most welcome, thank you.’
He poured them both a cup from the pot and they thanked him. He said, ‘you weren’t kidding about being early risers, unless I’m on a stakeout I rarely see the sun come up, and even then it’s from the back of a van.’
Adela laughed, ‘neither did I until I came to live here.’
Adela wondered where Jake Montayne hailed from; he worked in Alabama so he must live there. His accent was indistinct yet sometimes she caught nuances of the south in his voice. She didn’t ask because she knew that federal agents did not like to divulge too much information abut themselves.
She said, ‘what about breakfast?’
‘Breakfast sounds very tempting but I have to get back. Thank you both again for your hospitality.’
Adela said, ‘you’re welcome. And maybe next time your visit will be pleasure rather than business and you can meet the animals. Oh, and our son of course.’
He laughed, ‘I’ll make a point of it.’
He turned to Lando who had been silent since entering the living room. Montayne said, ‘Sheriff Lando, once again I’m sorry for my thoughtless remarks last night. Your son will grow up with every reason to be proud of his father.’
Lando’s eyes widened in surprise but he merely nodded in acknowledgement of Montayne’s words.