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“What’s that?” Beaux asked.
Josie stood, too. “We need you to get us back inside Armond Gardens. Tonight. We think we can find some answers out there.”
“I told you I didn’t want to go back there,” Beaux said, “but you’d better let your boss know about this, ’cause there ain’t much left to search. They had warrants and papers and a whole slew of law-enforcement people out there this morning. Saw that on the news. The whole mess is on the front page of the paper, too. So you need to leave my name out of this. I’m already in enough trouble.”
“I’ll get Sherwood on the phone right now and get clearance,” Josie said, already holding her phone to her ear. “And as for you, Beaux, you need to stick with us. But we’ll protect you, so we never had this conversation.”
* * *
Midnight in Armond Gardens.
Connor could smell the danger. The hot air was tinged with heat lightning and dark clouds. A storm. Just what they needed.
Beaux had smuggled them into a sleek black SUV and moved them through the city while they huddled down in the far backseat. Then they’d taken the back roads north toward the Old River Road and the back gate to the Armond estate.
And with each bump and bang on the rough roads and unpaved trails, he’d been so close to Josie he could feel her heart beating. He remembered kissing her, remembered the fresh new feelings washing over him with that kiss.
She’d returned it, measure for measure. The woman had a thing for him. He could feel it. Could they make a good team?
She shifted now. “Are we there yet?”
“Almost. It takes longer coming the back way.”
“I’m getting mighty tired of these Louisiana back roads.”
“But our lovely vacation is just starting, sweetheart.”
“Funny. Shut up.”
He grabbed her hand. “If I have to be on the run, I’m glad it’s with you.”
“You might change your tune on that,” she whispered. “I’m not in a good mood.”
One more bounce and the SUV rocked to a sudden halt.
“Beaux, what’s wrong?”
“We got trouble,” Beaux said, his words rushed.
“What now?” Josie lifted her head, then let out a groan. “We’re too late, Connor.”
Connor raised his head. “What’s going on?”
“I can’t go any farther,” Beaux replied. “See? Up ahead.”
Connor saw the bright orange blaze. “Is the house on fire?”
“I think so,” Beaux said. “And if it is, we need to be away from this place.”
“No.” Josie stretched and launched herself between the captain seats. “No. We need to investigate.”
Connor knew he wouldn’t be able to stop her, but he tried. “Josie, Beaux’s right. We can’t be caught here.”
“I’m going.” She was already opening a door. “And I’m calling it in. I should have stayed here the other night and I didn’t. Tonight, I’m doing my job.”
Connor groaned and climbed out after her. “Beaux, stay here and don’t make a move. If we’re not back in an hour, come looking for us.”
Beaux nodded. “Be careful.”
Connor saw the irony of a hit man telling them to be careful while they headed toward a raging fire at a Mafia don’s big estate. Yeah, they’d be real careful.
By the time they’d trekked up the back part of the vast property, they could already hear sirens off in the distance.
“The village volunteers,” he said, halting Josie a few yards from the big house.
“Look,” she said. “It’s not the house. It’s the garage.”
Connor squinted into the bright flames. “The six-car garage behind the house. The very place we’re here to search. The place where my car used to be.”
“That’d be the one. At least your car is probably safe back in the city.”
He could see it now. The garage was directly behind the house but about fifty yards away. From where they’d stopped earlier, it had looked like the mansion was on fire.
“Why would someone set fire to the garage?” Josie asked, her tone full of sarcasm.
