Retribution

  Jason Cooper glanced across the table at Adam, seated next to Sidney. “I remember seeing a photo spread by you in one of the newsmagazines recently. You seemed to be in the thick of war.”

  Adam gave a negligent shrug of his shoulders. “All the news that’s fit to print.”

  “What about the news your network deems unfit to print?”

  Adam merely smiled. “I’m saving those shots for one of the many books I’m planning when I retire from being a war correspondent.”

  “And when would that be?” Blair chimed in.

  Adam held a platter while Sidney helped herself to another slice of tenderloin. Seeing the way she glanced at him, his tone softened. “I guess when I decide I’ve had my fill of misery.”

  “It has to be a tough job.” Emily sipped her coffee. “I’ve often thought about the medical personnel who travel to war-torn countries and try to help those who’ve been injured. It’s something I’ve considered doing, at least for a few months.”

  “Every little bit makes a difference.” Adam gave her a rare smile. “If everyone would give just a little of their time and talent, think what it would mean to people who’ve never known anything but violence.”

  Ethan glanced at his two boys, enjoying Trudy’s hot chocolate topped with creamy marshmallow. “I’d be interested in hearing your take on the current troubles in the world, since it will certainly affect their futures.”

  “I’d be the last one you’d want to hear f Adam ducked his head. “I’m not interested in anyone’s politics. What I find myself caring deeply about are the innocent people who get caught in the cross fire. If you ask them, they don’t care much for politics, either. They just want to live in peace and raise their children up to be good people.”

  Intrigued, Hannah regarded Adam over the rim of her cup. “You must have found yourself in some pretty dangerous situations. Have you ever been afraid?”

  He saw the way Sidney turned to study him. “Sure, I’ve been afraid. I’d have to be brain-dead not to know fear when I’m in the middle of a war zone. But I’ve never been paralyzed by it. I just do what I have to at the time, and worry about the right or wrong of it later.”

  Courtney picked up her sister’s thread. “Does the danger keep you awake at night?”

  “Not really. Trust me. After hiking miles over mountains until you’re bone weary, or hitching a ride on a copter over some steamy jungle that has your clothes stuck like glue, you could sleep standing up. Besides, since we usually can’t drink the water, we make up for it by drinking gallons of local beer. That would put an insomniac to sleep instantly.”

  That had everyone laughing, including Trudy, who had paused to listen in silence. Now she circled the table holding up a serving tray. “Anyone ready for seconds of my cinnamon-streusel coffee cake?”

  “I wish I had room,” Adam said. “I think that was the best I’ve ever tasted, Trudy.”

  “Then I’ll see that I have some wrapped for you to take with you.”

  At the unexpected tone of her voice, Sidney glanced over. Judging from the way the housekeeper was beaming it was obvious that Adam’s words of praise had touched the old woman’s heart. Besides, Trudy had always had a soft spot in her heart for men who walked on the wild side.

  Sidney leaned over to whisper, “Aren’t you the sly one? Now she’ll spend an entire winter baking your favorite things.”

  He winked, sending her heart into a quick spiral. “Maybe that’s what I was counting on.”

  “Anyone else?” Trudy called. “Going once. Going twice…”

  Even Danny and T.J., who rarely passed up a chance for more sweets, had to shake their heads at second helpings before dancing away to chase the colored leaves blowing across the lawn.

  “All right then.” Trudy began pushing the serving cart toward the French doors that led to the kitchen. “I’ll leave you to your coffee.”

  As the others began to push away from the table, Bert stepped up beside Adam and looped her arm through his. “Let’s walk off our food, shall we?”

  Recognizing that she wanted a chance to speak with him in private, Adam placed a hand over hers, matching his steps to hers. They walked in silence across the lawn, following the slate stepping-stones that marked a trail from the patio to the very edge of the water. There they walked along the sandy shore and turned to see the Willows bathed in bright autumn sunlight.

  Bert smiled. “I never tire this sight.”

  “Sidney tells me you’ve been here for more than fifty years.”

  The old woman nodded. “That must seem such a long time to you. But Frank and I are constantly amazed at how quickly those years have flown by.” She turned to look up at him. “You’ll say the same thing one day.”

  “If I live long enough.”

  Though he said the words lightly, she sensed something more in his tone. “You were careful to give us only the highlights of your job, Adam, but I have to assume that there’s a great deal of danger in what you do.”

  “No more so than the soldiers who have to fight, or the people who have to live through the terror of war right in their own neighborhoods.”

  “Perhaps. But they have little choice. You, on the other hand, could refuse an assignment, couldn’t you?”

  He shrugged. “I could.”

  “You seem to have little fear.”

  Again that shrug. “There’s danger everywhere. I could get killed crossing a busy street. I resigned myself years ago to live my life as I wanted, without giving in to the fear of what might happen.”

  Bert’s face creased into a smile. “I’ve always admired that attitude in a person, Adam.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  She looked up at him with a smile. “You’re not comfortable calling me Bert?”

  He laughed. “Not yet. Maybe when I’ve known you longer.” He paused a moment before adding, “But no matter how long I know your husband, I’ll never call the Judge Poppie.”

  That had them both laughing.

  Even from this distance, Bert could make out Sidney’s profile, as she stood talking with her mother and sisters. “What do you think of my granddaughter?”

  “She’s a beautiful woman.”

  “Indeed she is.”

  “A gifted artist.”

  Bert nodded.

  “I sense that she’s comfortable with her own company. And she seems truly happy to be following her dream.” He paused. “But I don’t think that’s what you really want to know, is it?”

  When Bert merely smiled, he nodded. “All right. To answer the question you’re reluctant to ask, I’ll tell you this. I’m mad about her, and have been since I first saw her. But I’m trying very hard not to act on my feelings.”

  “Why?”

  He chose his words carefully. “I’m not sure I can be what Sidney wants or needs.”

  “And what is that?”

  “A man willing to sink roots here in Devil’s Cove and live happily ever after the way her grandparents h

  “That wouldn’t be enough for you, Adam?”

  “I don’t know the answer to that. Before I came here, I’d have said it was impossible. Now that my life has slowed down, and I’ve become dazzled by a certain red-haired angel, I’m beginning to think anything is possible. But I won’t make her a promise I can’t keep.”

  “An honest man.” Bert paused and touched a hand to his cheek. “It isn’t just your attitude I like, Adam. It’s you, as well. You’re a good man. And a bright one. I think you’ll figure it all out.”

  “You may be giving me more credit than I deserve.”

  She merely smiled.

  They both looked up when Frank Brennan walked over to join them. “I believe you’ve monopolized our guest long enough. It’s my turn.” He pointed to the shed that was surrounded by a thick hedge of deep red sumac bushes, with their lush purple cones. “I’d like to show you my laboratory, Adam, where I work on my inventions.”

  “I’d like to see it.”
Adam squeezed Bert’s hands. “Will you let Sidney know where I’ve gone?”

  “Of course.” The old woman turned to her husband with a knowing look. “You’re not to grill our houseguest, Frank.”

  He shot her a look of complete innocence. “How could you even suggest such a thing, Bert?”

  “Because I know you better than I know myself.” She walked away shaking her head.

  The two men walked in silence to the shed. Once inside, Frank switched on an overhead light, which filled the room with unexpectedly bright light, and strolled toward his workbench, littered with bits of wood and metal and an odd assortment of tools.

  “I’ve always liked tinkering. It helps me sort through problems.” He leaned his back against the workbench and studied Adam. “What do you like to do when you’re not working?”

  “It’s always been photography for me. My work is my pleasure.”

  “You’re a lucky man, to be doing what you love. I wonder, though, how you can take pleasure in filming war.”

  “It wasn’t my first choice to chronicle war. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when I did my first assignment. But now I like to think that by being there, by showing the world what’s happening, I can keep both sides honest. Or at least as honest as anyone can be during wars and uprisings.” Adam shrugged. “To escape from the horrors of war, I like to photograph the children. There’s something so resilient about them.”

  The older man nodded. “I know what you mean. Whenever I found myself embroiled in a tough criminal trial, I could always find solace in my grandchildren. There’s something about little girls that just tug at the heartstrings.” He met Adam’s eyes. “Some, I’m afraid, more than others.”

  The two men fell into an uncomfortable silence for a moment before Frank cleared his throat. “I may be retired from the bench, but I’m still an av of criminal proceedings. I was fascinated by a particularly heinous assassination in New York City some months ago.”

  When Adam remained silent, the Judge folded his arms over his chest. “As far as I can recall, the assassin has never been identified and is still at large.”

  Adam gave a curt nod of his head. “I’m afraid that’s so.”

  “It was reported that several attempts have been made on the life of the only known witness to the crime.”

  “I can see that there’s nothing wrong with your powers of observation, Judge Brennan.”

  Again that strained silence hung between them before the older man said, “If I was able to figure it out, so can the man who wants you dead.”

  Adam let out a long, slow breath. “Yeah. That idea has crossed my mind.”

  “Understand,” the old man said softly, “that I like you, son, and wish you well. But my chief concern must be Sidney. Or haven’t you given any thought to her safety?”

  “Sidney is all I’ve thought about.” Adam frowned. “You may find this hard to believe, but I’ve been working really hard at keeping my distance from her. Unfortunately, she has a mind of her own, and she can be very persuasive.”

  For the first time the older man chuckled. “It’s the curse of the Brennans. The first time I met her grandmother, I knew she was the woman I would spend the rest of my life with. I just hadn’t quite figured out how to persuade her to agree.”

  The two men shared a knowing smile.

  Frank Brennan’s smile faded. “Have you told Sidney about the threat that hangs over you?”

  Adam shook his head. “I don’t want her involved.”

  Frank sighed. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. Maybe you haven’t seen the way she looks at you, but I have. I’d say she’s become very involved. And that means, to my way of thinking, that you need to be forthright about the danger.”

  Adam clenched his hands at his sides. “I can try. There’s no denying that until this man is apprehended, my life is in danger. I don’t have a problem with that, because I realize it’s the price I pay for the job I do. But I’m not particularly fond of putting those who have the misfortune of knowing me in the line of fire, as well.”

  “What about the authorities?”

  “They’re aware of where I am. And they’re keeping an eye out. But as a man of the law, you have to know that the forces of evil have a way of sliding under, over, around or through whatever precautions the forces of good might use to try to keep us safe.”

  “That’s very true. You sound like a man who has had to deal with such evil before.”

  “I’ve seen my share.”

  Frank lowered his voice. “I’m sure you have. And you’ve probably become adept at keeping yourself safe. But my concern here is Sidney. She’s very

  “I can appreciate…”

  The old man held up his hand to stop him. “I don’t say this just because she’s my granddaughter. All of us who know and love Sidney worry about her. She’s always been—” his voice wavered for a moment “—very sweet and fragile.”

  Adam was aware of the raw emotion in the older man’s voice. “Sir, I’ll do everything in my power to see that Sidney isn’t touched by the danger that stalks me.”

  “Not good enough, Adam.” Frank uncrossed his arms and faced Adam with a determined look. “Her grandmother and I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her. She’s been hurt enough.”

  “Enough?” Adam’s eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

  Frank shook his head. “It isn’t my place to tell you that any more than it would be my place to tell Sidney what I’ve learned about you. If Sidney wants you to know, she’ll tell you herself. But I advise you in the strongest possible terms to be completely honest and forthright. You must tell her the truth about why you are here, and the danger you may have exposed her to.”

  Adam nodded slowly. “You’re pretty persuasive. Are you sure you were never a defense attorney?”

  Frank Brennan flashed one of his famous smiles. “In my day I was one of the best.”

  “I should have known.”

  There was a knock on the door of the shed seconds before it was yanked open. Sidney stood framed in the doorway, glancing first at Adam, then at her grandfather. “What are you two doing, locked away in here on such a pretty day?”

  “Just guy talk.” Adam stuck out his hand. “It was nice talking with you, Judge Brennan. I appreciate your words of wisdom. I hope we can do this again some time.”

  “I hope so, too, son.” Frank turned to his granddaughter. “I promised Adam a tour of the house. Why don’t you take him indoors now and show him around. He might especially enjoy seeing your paintings in the library.”

  “All right.” Sidney was looking into Adam’s eyes. “And after that I’ve been thinking it would be a shame to waste all this sunshine. There are so few days like this left before winter blows in. If you’re still interested, I thought I’d take you up on your offer to pose for some photos.”

  “If I’m interested?” He didn’t touch her, but the look in his eyes was so intense, the old man standing to one side was all but scorched by the heat.

  Frank cleared his throat, and they both looked up in surprise, as though unaware that he was still there. “You might want to say your goodbyes to your mother and grandmother before leaving.”

  “Hmm? Oh, yes. Of course.” With a smile Sidney leaned close to brush a kiss over her grandfather’s cheek.

  When they left the shed and walked across the patio to exchange words with the rest of the family, Frank remained where he was, watching Sidney and Adam.ing the looks that passed between them should have brought him relief. It had been such a long time since his beloved Sidney had found someone to put that glow in her eyes. But his heart was heavy at the thought of the unknown danger that stalked Adam, and by implication Sidney, as well.

  Of all his granddaughters, Sidney had always seemed the most sweet and shy and helpless. He’d told Adam she was fragile, for that was exactly the way he’d always seen her. Delicate crystal, that could be irreparably damaged by the slightest b
low.

  Why did someone like Sidney have to be attracted to a man like Adam, who seemed to enjoy tempting fate and chose to live each day on the very edge of danger?

  Frank Brennan knew one thing with certainty. He wouldn’t be able to draw a contented breath until the unknown assassin was identified and put away where he could do no more harm.

  As long as such a madman was free to ply his hideous trade, there was a sword hanging over his beloved granddaughter’s head. A sword that could slice the very heart of this family to shreds.

  Chapter 9

  “This is Poppie’s study.” After conducting a tour of the rest of the house, Sidney opened the double doors and stood aside, allowing Adam to precede her.

  He’d been so quiet since leaving her grandfather’s shed, she found herself trying desperately to draw him out. He seemed to have gone somewhere in his mind. A place where she couldn’t reach him.

  “I’ve always loved this room best. That’s why I saved it for last. I love everything about it. The worn leather couches. The walls of legal books. The desk that belonged to Poppie’s grandfather.”

  Adam circled the room, noting the framed photos of four little girls that stood in a place of honor on the highly polished desk. Frank Brennan’s words played through his mind.

  There’s something about little girls that just tug at the heartstrings. Some, more than others.

  Lost in thought, he bent to study their faces. Then, realizing that Sidney was watching, he managed a smile. “Look at you. Is that a paint smudge on your cheek?”

  “Of course.” Sidney walked over to stand beside him. “Even then, when I was no more than seven or eight, I was always into paint. It’s all I ever wanted to do. While Emily was picking up stray animals and nursing them back to health, and Hannah was working with Poppie in the garden, Courtney and I were rummaging in the attic for treasures that she could restore and I could paint. By the time I was twelve, I’d copied almost every painting that hung on the walls of this house and presented them to my family for every occasion.” She pointed to a framed miniature that stood on the mantel. “That’s one I did for Poppie’s birthday the year I was ten.”