WELCOME TO KANSAS
The first thing Frank noticed when they drove into Pineville was its size. It was completely tiny in every true sense of the word. If there were 700 people here, he would be surprised. He recalled how vehemently Aila claimed she would never live in a small town. He had never known what the aversion was. He still didn't. It was more than confusing. Although he had taken a middle of the road position, Frank wouldn't dare admit that he desperately wanted to see Aila again. Had she changed? Was her hair still black as coal? Were her eyes the same shimmering ice blue or had they dulled? Was there a boyfriend? Lover? Husband? Who was this 'someone' that he would meet? It was messing him up inside and he thought he might go insane if this person was a significant other. Let it go. You're here to investigate, to solve a mystery, and to take down yet another bad guy. There's nothing complicated about it. However, there was plenty about it that was complicated. Grumbling incoherently, he shook it off and slung his garment bag over his shoulder.
For now, he didn't want Aila to see him with the team. He wasn't sure who would do what just yet. However, Alex and Jake were posing as the mayor's niece and nephew in-law. Frank was on his way to meet them at the mayor's office. Before they landed in Kansas City, Allred had phoned and told him that they wouldn't have to worry about the sheriff. She was supervising county inmates on work detail. Aila wouldn't see any of them arriving or exiting the City Hall, not unless she came back early. Frank dreaded this meeting. Dreaded it even more as he, Cody, and Monica stowed their gear in their sparse hotel rooms. He wanted to interrogate the hell out of Aila and then kiss her silly. He was already jumpy and hadn't laid one eye on her. What would happen when he did? Mumbling unintelligible commands to Monica and Cody, he closed his room door behind him. He didn't have time to shower and that fact alone put him in an even fouler mood. He went into the bathroom and splashed his face with cold water. He rose up and gazed at his reflection. All in all, he looked like shit and felt ten times worse. You're losing it, Donovan. After several mind numbing moments, he grabbed a hand towel and blotted his face dry. Sooner or later, he would have to face Aila Blane and then go about business as usual. Could he do it? The answer was simple enough. Yes he could. He had no choice. It was time to get moving. Allred was expecting them all.
Kendon Allred was the stereotypical small-town mayor. He was short in stature, had a paunchy stomach, and absolutely no hair on his head. The baldness wasn't something he was ashamed of, but the locals often saw Mayor Allred wearing a funky fedora hat that he had had since he was a small boy. His grandfather had given it to him and he was hard pressed to let it go. Today, he sat behind his expansive mahogany desk chitchatting with two federal agents. He wasn't guilty of anything, but they made him nervous. He was irritated because their immediate supervisor was running late for their meeting. There was no way in hell he wanted Aila to see the team right away. They had to make plans and prepare for whatever hell faced them. Part of him hated Aila Blane with a passion. Why in the hell hadn't she taken her bastard son and lived some place else? But no…not her. She simply had to come home and run for office. It served them all right for trusting her. For trusting an outsider. An outsider was exactly what she was now. She didn't even speak the same way anymore. She actually sounded like she had been born and bred in Chicago. Part of him also sympathized with her. She actually hadn't been a half bad sheriff. She kept most of her campaign promises despite horrid setbacks in her personal life. And if he had been in her shoes, he might have been tempted to dive into the city funds. Beck's cruiser was shot to shit. But what the hell happened to the rest of the money? Doctor's bills? Pineville was a small town. They had all heard about Ethan Blane's difficult birth. Both the girl and her boy nearly died. Allred looked up when his secretary, Mona, opened his office door. It was time to get the show on the road. Hallelujah. The sooner the better. The only thing he dreaded more than this meeting was replacing the sheriff. Beck didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. All he cared about was bowing up with the pretty young dispatcher. He stood and felt an overwhelming urge to rub the top of his head. He was sweating like a whore in church. What was it about the initials F, B, & I that set a man's heart to beating the band?
"Mr. Donovan," Allred said as he stood, offering his hand to the stony-faced agent.
Frank nodded politely and then returned the gesture. Allred was a true politician. He gave Frank's hand a couple firm squeezes and then stepped back. He didn't want to get too close to many people. Frank took an instant dislike to this man. From the periphery of his vision, he noticed that the elderly secretary hadn't moved an inch. He focused his eyes on her very briefly and he noticed [with dark satisfaction] that she shrank away from his steady gaze. "Please excuse us," he said.
After the door was closed securely behind them, Frank, Cody, and Monica took the vacant seats. Jake and Alex had chosen to sit near the mayor in the plush chairs reserved for visiting dignitaries. The thought struck Frank so very darkly delicious that he nearly laughed. He had pigeon holed this man and his town without giving either a shot to prove him wrong. What was truly bothering him? Was it Aila? The case? The fact that he would rather have his toes sawed off than sit here? It was nothing like that. He was bitter and he came to square away some personal business while working a case. It was a bad and forbidden mix, but goddamn it, if he were stuck here, he would jolly well have his say. He would do so even if he had to wait until he dragged Aila away in cuffs. He deserved it. He deserved more than a lame 'it was fun, but I must go now' excuse, and she would know it.
Clearing his head for the billionth time, Frank said, "Tell us what you know."
Allred jumped back a bit. His request was more like a demand. He didn't like this character and definitely didn't like how he was sizing him up. Big city men like him tried to eat small towns for breakfast. Allred reasoned he was probably already wondering how many couples had practiced inbreeding. "Our Treasurer, Sybil Hartley, noticed a few inequities in her set of books. She came to me and said that she caught the sheriff going through them one morning before dawn. The sheriff has been complaining about her budget since she was elected and has especially done so now. Her senior deputy needs a new cruiser."
Frank shook his head and bit the inside of his cheek hard. He was again tempted to laugh his ass off. Did the mayor think they had come all this way because of a budget dispute? "Mayor, if I may," he began. "Our being here has little, if nothing, to do with your books. If your sheriff is misappropriating your town's funds, we want to know why, and not because she lacks a cruiser for her deputy. We want to know the link between her and Thurman Herren. She's only a minor player as far as we're concerned."
Oh sure. Piss on you. He didn't like this man. Nope, nope, nope. He knew about Thurman Herren. Everyone in town did, especially the meth heads. If anyone did drugs in Pineville, likely as not, they came from Herren or his henchmen. "Of course," Allred said, nearly stumbling on his words. "Honestly, I don't know the sheriff's tie to Herren, unless they're… well…um…involved."
Unless they're…well…um…involved. The words cut Frank like a knife. Would she become involved with a drug kingpin? Would she? Aila was anti-drug all the way. In fact, her ambitions began leading her toward the DEA, but her injury put a stop to that. Herren was older than Aila and built like a brick wall. She wasn't usually attracted to men like that. And what do you know about her? Remember asshole, it's been three years. You have no idea what she's like now. "I see," he finally managed. "I suggest that you not move on the sheriff for a few days. Let us watch her and learn her patterns. I'll also want to speak to your treasurer as well. Jake and Alex will be around you the most. I think you should suggest that the sheriff hire another dispatcher. Monica perhaps?" Without ceremony, Frank stood, but did not offer the other man his hand. "Thank you for your time. We'll be in touch." Cody and Monica fell in beside him. They stopped when Frank asked a question, "What do you think?"
"He's nervous and rightfully so," Monica commented. "I'm not sure I believe that the sheriff is romantically linked to Herren. From what Cody and I have dug up, she seems stronger and more controlled than that."
He nodded, satisfied. "Good."
They began to walk off again, but Monica drew ahead. She and Cody had literally tossed heads or tails for this privilege, with Cody being the loser. "Boss, you might cause me bodily harm when I say this, but Monica and I found some…"
Frank stopped walking abruptly, as did Cody. Monica was already at the rented SUV. He fixed his steely gaze on the younger man. He could see that the two had finally dug up information best left buried. "Found some background information regarding Aila Blane's love life? Is that it?"
Goddamn mind reader. "Well, uh, yeah. That exactly. I'm sure you realize this complicates the case?"
You will hear no gossip from me. I will not talk about my affair with Aila. "Of course it complicates it, but doesn't make it impossible to follow through. I can use this past to divert her attention while the rest of you find what we need. I trust that neither of you will mention this to Jake or Alex?"
Sure I will, if I wanted a big ass foot down my throat. "Oh no. We're good."
"Thank you," he said brusquely before picking up his stride toward the SUV.
Aila saw Frank long before he saw her. She watched as he emerged from City Hall with two other people. He did this quietly and with dignity, as if he were an emperor approaching his loving people. It was incredible watching him move. Only three years had passed, but it seemed as if it was no time at all. Aila was drawn back to the first night she laid eyes on him. Howie was still her steady boyfriend. She had been shocked by Frank's attention. She was no dog, but what the hell did a man like he see in her? She had never understood his fascination. It wasn't hard, however, to see how and why he was attractive to her. He was still so very sexy, but also managed to act distinguished no matter how high the pressure. Three years had made him appear even hotter than ever before. And despite what he believed, she was just as hot for him as he was her. She hadn't expected him to bring along two other people, one of whom was a woman. Was she his wife? Was she the chirping girl on the cell phone? Whoever she was, Aila literally hated her. Goddamn. What the hell was she doing? She turned away and headed toward the jail. Perhaps Frank wouldn't see her. However, she was wrong.
As soon as Monica and Cody disappeared into the SUV, movement to his left caught him off guard. He stopped and realized immediately that he was looking at Aila. He barked a command to his two team members, asking that they get back to the hotel. It was time to make contact with Aila. From his distant vantage point, he couldn't see much, but what he saw stuck with him and would do so for the rest of his life. She wore a hideous dark blue uniform that would look terrible on any other woman. However, it looked absolutely fabulous on her. It fit her body neatly, hugging every curve. Her coal black hair was braided and pinned up. His brain was telling him to move forward, but his body couldn't listen to it. Apparently, Aila had noticed him as well. If he could have been outside his body for a few moments, he would have realized that they looked fairly stupid. Each of them was staring at the other, but not moving an inch. Had they forgotten how to move, walk, or talk? Both of them were adults, he well within his 30s, and her well on her way there. Yet, they were acting like children. His conversation earlier with the mayor had fucked up his head. He felt like laughing and crying at the same time. Perhaps Aila would love that.
Aila stood stock still when she realized that Frank had indeed seen her, and he was pushing his lanky body toward hers. Jesus. She had to get the hell out of here. She was supposed to finish up at work and then pick up her son. She wasn't ready to introduce Frank to Ethan yet. She had to have time to prepare. Time. No time. No time for zip. Her instinct was to flee, but there was nowhere for her to go. Instead of listening to her heart, she allowed her head to win out. The closer he drew, the clearer his features became. Everything was still the same. His jaw line was still strong, his nose arrow straight, his kissable lips just as full, and his brown eyes just as piercing. The only difference was that his black hair was dusted with a bit of gray at the temples.
Frank did his own once over. Her petite body had changed very little, but if he had the chance to view it in its nude form, he was almost certain that it was even lusher than he remembered. Her ice blue eyes were as stunning as ever and they cut into him like jagged pieces of ice. Her oval face was tilted upward toward him, accentuating her sharp chin and high cheekbones. When she was in such a stance, it normally meant she was challenging him. He had seen it enough when they were together. However, today, it was most heartbreaking. He was tempted to take her by her shoulders and shake her until she confessed to whatever secrets she held.
"When you said you'd find me, you truly meant it," Aila said when Frank was within hearing distance. Inside, she was shaking.
"That I did," he began lightly. Inside, his heart was breaking. "And you do look hot in that uniform."
"See…you are a pervert," she said.
"Can we go inside and talk," he asked, putting on his serious face.
She nodded. "Sure."
Without a word between them, they walked around together to the front of the building. Mildeen and Beck watched, fascinated, as the sheriff led the tall stranger into the building. They said nothing as Aila took the man into her office and closed the door behind them. She watched as Frank took a seat across from her desk. Almost immediately, he propped his chin on his clasped hands. Aila nervously puttered about her office, nearly knocking everything off her desk. Fiddling with a paperweight, she slid into her chair, listening to the creaks and squeals it made as it adjusted to her weight.
"You were definitely trying to find me," Frank began. "Any particular reason?" He was trying his damn best to keep the conversation light and teasing. If he didn't, he would lose total control over the situation. One thing that Frank Donovan didn't like losing was control.
"You surely don't hesitate to cut to the chase, do you," she said with a smile. Yes there's a reason, Frank. A good one. I wanted you to come here so you could meet your son. It's time for Ethan to have his father. Images of her nightmare began playing in her mind. Would Frank deny his son? Most men would.
He shook his head. "Have I ever?" Shifting gears ever so slightly [I must not allow her to see any sign of weakness. If I do, it's her game], he said, "You look good. You seem settled and happy. I'm glad I see that in you."
Are you, Frank? Are you really? She didn't exactly see those words in his eyes. There was something else going on, something that he wasn't ready to share with her. Would he allow her to dig it out? Did he have another reason for coming here? Was it one that would make her happy? "Thanks, Frank. I see the same things in you. Whatever you're doing now agrees with you."
It was time to cut off the niceties. He was getting sick of it, but was there any other way out? "I'll be here for a few days. Will you have dinner with me tonight?"
Damn. Wham bam, thank you ma'am. She wanted to jump him and scream yes a million times, but she had to first think of her son. "I'd love to, but I have a prior engagement that I cannot ignore. I do want to get together with you so we can talk, but tonight's just not the night."
Frank nodded. "Feels like the first time you turned me down," he said lightly. "I suppose I can wait while some other lucky guy sweeps you away."
"Oh you," she said. "You don't know a good thing when you see it."
No. I definitely don't. I should have plunged ahead and asked you to marry me. I shouldn't have held back or stalled. You wanted to be my wife as much as I wanted you to be. I saw it then and I can see it now. "You're probably right about that," he admitted. "As you know, there's only one hotel in town and that's where I am. Call me tomorrow and we'll see about getting together."
She rose when she saw him making moves to stand. "Of course."
Aila walked him no further than the door. Before he made his exit, he brushed his lips briefly against her temple. It burned her like a five alarm fire.
"Good night," he said.
After he did his fade, Aila didn't waste any time getting the hell out of the jail. It was time to pick up her son.
* * *
Pearlie Blane was a good grandmother to Ethan. She spoiled him silly, but since he was her only grandchild, Aila didn't complain too much. Ethan was glad to see her. Although Granny was good, Momma was even better. He threw his little arms around her throat and squeezed tightly. After recovering from the monster hug, Aila sat down for a few minutes for tea with her mother. From the back bedroom, both of them could hear Otis Blane mumbling in his sleep. He had suffered a stroke right before Aila moved back home.
"Are you okay, darlin,'" Pearlie asked.
Aila shrugged her shoulders. "I'll live, I suppose. I called Frank, Mom. He's here right now and I'm going to tell him about Ethan."
"It's about time," she said.
Her mother had never criticized her on anything when it came to Ethan, but since the cat was out of the bag, what the hell? "Yes," she said quietly. "It is." Aila grabbed her teacup and carried it over to the sink. She rinsed it out and placed it neatly into the drainer. She turned and glanced at her mother, but she didn't move away. "I hope he doesn't deny Ethan. I think that would kill me more than his hating me for not saying anything."
"Darlin,' I don't think he'll hate Ethan. There's no way. The boy is his son."
No way. The boy is his son. However, she remembered her dream and that man had been utterly livid. She knew Frank and he would not take this lightly. He would make her pay and do so every day of her life.
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To be continued…