Slade's Secret Son

“I’ll want joint custody.”

“I don’t want him bounced back and forth between us. I want primary custody and I get to set the conditions.”

Slade recognized the determined look on her face. If he wanted her to marry him, he was going to have to make concessions. “I want your word that you’ll be fair.”

It hurt that he didn’t trust her, but then, she hadn’t exactly demonstrated an unquestionable trust in him, either. “You have my word.”

“And you have my word.”

“Then give me a few minutes to pull myself together.” She looked down at the outfit she’d been wearing for two days now and wrinkled her nose. “I need to shower and put on fresh clothes.”

Following Slade’s exit, Lisa stood for a long moment frowning at the closed door. She told herself that she should be pleased he was being so “civilized” about this matter. But then that’s what she should have expected. Slade Logan was a man in total control of himself…A practical man who had a firm conviction of what was right and what was wrong, of what his duty was, and he had the ability to act on those principles without allowing his emotions to interfere with reason.

Lisa had finished showering and just returned to her room to dress when a knock sounded on her door, immediately followed by the entry of her aunt and her mother.

“Ester and I have been discussing your situation and we’re not sure marrying Slade Logan is the right thing to do,” Helen blurted, the moment the door was closed.

“We’ve done fine on our own,” Ester added.

“I’m doing this to assure Andy’s future in case something happens to me,” Lisa explained. She looked to her mother. “You’re fifty-three. You’ll be seventy-three before Andy is even twenty-one.” She didn’t even point out that Ester would be into her eighties.

“We just aren’t certain you should be tying yourself to a man for the sake of a child,” Helen said worriedly.

“I’m not tying myself to him. I have his word that if the marriage doesn’t suit me, we’ll get a divorce and I’ll have primary custody of Andy without a fight.”

“Do you have that in writing?” Ester demanded.

“I have Slade’s word.”

“I think you should get it in writing,” Helen encouraged.

Lisa understood their concern and if she’d been dealing with any man other than Slade Logan she would have insisted on having the agreement in writing, as well, but in that moment she realized how fully she trusted him. “Like I said before, Slade is a man of honor. If I doubted that, I would never have gone to him. His word is his bond.”

Ester pursed her lips into a displeased pout and Lisa braced herself. That look meant her aunt was preparing an all-out assault to get what she wanted. Glancing at her mother, she saw the same expression on Helen’s face.

Then, abruptly, Ester shrugged, the pout disappeared and was replaced by her “I have the solution” look. Heading out the door, she said over her shoulder, “If that’s true, he won’t mind putting it in writing.”

Nodding her head in agreement, Helen followed her sister.

“Leave Slade alone,” Lisa called after them, but even as she issued the order, she knew it was falling on deaf ears. Quickly dressing, she raced downstairs. She found Slade in the kitchen with her mother and aunt. He was sitting at the table writing out something on a piece of paper. “This isn’t necessary,” Lisa said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“If it puts your mother’s and your aunt’s minds at ease then it is,” Slade returned, continuing to write as he spoke.

Lisa gave the two older women an angry, impatient look. “I really can’t believe you did this.”

Ester regarded her with self-righteous dignity. “I watch those court shows on television all the time and this is just the sort of thing the judge advises all the defendants to do.”

“Slade and I are nothing like the people you see on those shows,” Lisa snapped, her embarrassment building.

“I’ll bet that’s what some of those people thought before they ended up there,” Ester returned.

Lisa gave her aunt a “you’re impossible” glance, then turned her attention to Slade. “I am truly sorry about this. I told them that you were a man of your word.” Again she gave her mother and aunt an angry glare. “In fact, I’ve told them that several times.”

Slade scrawled his signature at the bottom of the paper, then looked up at her. “The fact that you didn’t come to me when you found out you were pregnant probably has a lot to do with their distrust. I’ve written out this paper to prove to them that I would never intentionally cause you or our son any grief or harm.”

Behind his polite demeanor, she caught the edge of reprimand in his voice and bristled. “I did what I thought was right. I’ve never claimed to be perfect.” Her gaze turned on her mother and aunt. “And now I realize that was a mistake, so I’m correcting it.” Her gaze shifted back to Slade. “And I don’t need you chiding me for my original decision. It was based solely on your attitude toward marriage.” Her attention went back to her mother and aunt. “And my current decision is based on concern for my son. I’m doing what I believe has to be done to insure Andy’s future.”

All three of them regarded her indulgently, then, picking up the paper Slade had just signed, Helen said, “I’ll put this in a safe place,” and left the room with Ester following close behind.

Slade rose from the table. “Are you ready?”

Lisa nodded stiffly.

“You don’t have to look as if you’re going to the dentist to have a root canal,” he muttered as they left the house and walked to her car.

Lisa made no response but a little voice warned that a root canal would be like a walk in the park compared to the pain she would experience if she ever allowed the feelings she’d had for Slade to again breathe life.

A while later Lisa was as taut as a bowstring as she and Slade walked back to her car. Getting the marriage license had been incredibly easy…no blood tests, no identification. And they’d left with the document in hand. In three days it would be valid and they could be married by any priest, rabbi or recognized minister of any denomination, or by any state judge.

All during the process, Lisa had observed Slade. He’d been stiff, almost cardboardlike, making it clear to her that while he may be willing to go through the motions, for him this marriage was simply a legal means to achieve his ends. She was certain that as soon as Andy’s name had been changed and Slade’s position as Andy’s father affirmed, he’d want out of their marriage. Pride bubbled within her. “After we go through the ceremony, just because we have a piece of paper that says we’re married doesn’t mean I’m going to jump back into your bed.”

Slade gave her an impatient look. “Once we go through that ceremony, we will be married and I intend for that marriage to be a long and lasting one.”

Lisa’s jaw firmed with resolve. “I’m not sharing a bed with a ghost. I did it once. I’m not doing it again.”

Slade caught her by the arm and brought her to a halt. “We’ve got a son to raise. He needs both a mother and a father, preferably under the same roof. I want your promise that you’ll at least give our marriage a chance.”

His touch was like a match igniting a fire deep within her. Rage that she was still so attracted to him spread through her. “Before I make any promises, I want your promise that you’ll try to finally bury Claudette and let me into your heart.” When Slade made no response, she glared at him. “I hope you and your ghost have a happy life, but don’t plan on me sharing it.”

His jaw twitched, then as if the words were being ripped from him, he said, “I can’t go through that kind of loss again. Once was enough.”

So that was it! He clung to Claudette because he was afraid to love again. Lisa studied the resolute line of his jaw. She would never be able to break through the barrier he’d created around his heart. She’d tried once and ended up getting hurt. There was no doubt in her mind the same thing would happen again. “Once was enough for me, too,” she muttered under her breath. Jerking free from his hold, she headed across the street. Hearing a car’s engine start up, she glanced to her left and saw a black sedan pull out of a parking space. She picked up her pace to get out of its lane.

Slade hung back, deciding to let the car pass before he crossed. He couldn’t blame Lisa for wanting more than he was willing to give, but he wasn’t ready to abandon the idea of them making a life together. He enjoyed her company and he wanted to be an everyday part of his son’s life.

A sudden prickling, the kind he always experienced when something wasn’t right, jerked his attention to the oncoming vehicle. It was speeding up and heading directly toward Lisa. Reaching her on the run, he caught her by the waist and carried her with him through the space between her car and the one behind it. The sound of metal impacting metal filled the air as they tumbled to the ground unbalanced by Slade’s rescue.

“Ouch.” Lisa groaned when her body impacted with the hard earth, sending a jolt of pain through her.

“Sorry,” Slade apologized, quickly getting to his feet in time to see the sedan speeding away.

Lisa shifted into a sitting position. “What was that all about?”

Slade moved to where he could get a look at the damage done to the side of her car. “Someone just tried to run you down.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “Run me down?”

“Sure looked that way.” He headed back to her. “Stay down.”

Lisa’s first instinct was to disobey, to prove to him that she could take care of herself. Then she thought of Andy and remained where she was.

“I assume you have a gun. Is it in your purse?”

“I didn’t bring it with me.”

Slade’s gaze hardened. “It looks like that sniper might not have missed his target, after all.”

“I can’t believe this,” Lisa muttered. “Who would want to kill me?”

A man came running out of the building they’d exited. “I saw the whole thing. Looked like that guy was trying to hit you.”

A couple of other people were also rushing toward them from other directions.

“I’m not sitting here on the ground with a crowd gathering around,” Lisa said, beginning to work herself to her feet.

Agreeing that her staying down would serve no purpose now and remaining immobile could even place her in danger, Slade gave her a hand, keeping her close and shielding her as much as possible with his body.

Reaching them, the man studied Lisa worriedly. “You look pretty shaken. Couldn’t believe the way the guy barreled down on you.” Abruptly he grinned. “I got part of the license plate.”

Keeping Lisa between himself and the car, Slade opened the passenger side door. “Get in and duck down,” he ordered. “Could be your sniper wasn’t the driver and he’s hidden somewhere to finish the job in case the driver missed.”

Lisa obeyed. She was scared and hurting and glad Slade was there. He was bull-headed and too authoritative at times, but right now he made her feel safe.

“She hurt?” the man asked.

“She’s pretty shaken.”

“I called the police and an ambulance,” a woman said, joining them, a cell phone in her hand.

More people began to gather.

“Did any of you see the driver?” Slade asked.

“I think it was a man,” a slender man offered.

“Who could tell?” The pale-blond woman beside him gave him a wry look. “Whoever it was was wearing a hat pulled way down and sunglasses.”

“It was just an impression.” The slender man defended himself.

Further arguing between the two was cut short by the sound of approaching police and ambulance sirens.

Slade was getting more and more uneasy by the moment as the crowd grew. “Stay back,” he ordered those approaching. “This is a crime scene.”

“Yeah, he’s right.” The man who’d gotten part of the license plate spread his arms, forming a barrier, and eased people back.

Opening the car door, Slade looked in at Lisa crouched low in the seat. “How do you feel? Do you need the paramedics to take a look at you?”

“No. I’m just shaken, but I’m fine,” she assured him.

“Good. The less exposure, the better.” Closing the door, he continued to rake the crowd with his gaze, looking for anyone who might pose a threat to Lisa.

“What happened here?” one of the two patrolmen who had just arrived demanded, approaching Slade.

“Someone tired to run my fiancée down,” he replied. His attention shifted to the paramedics who were coming on the run. “She doesn’t need medical attention.” Returning his gaze to the policeman, he added, “I think it would be best if I get her someplace sheltered.”

The second of the two patrolmen eyed Slade skeptically. “You say you think someone purposely tried to run her down? Who?”

“That I don’t know.”

The skepticism on the patrolman’s face increased. “Why, then?”

“We’re not clear on that point, either.”

“Then what makes you think this wasn’t just some drunk driving erratically?”

“Not too long ago someone shot her and nearly killed her. I think he was trying to finish the job today.”

The policeman’s expression became less skeptical and more interested. “You say someone shot her?”

Lisa had rolled down the window a crack to listen. “Contact Detective Overson,” she called. “He’s working on the case.”

“I want to get her away from here as quickly as possible,” Slade said with command.

The patrolman nodded. “If your suspicions are true, we’ll need some paint scrapings from your car and some photos of the scene. I’ll have Jack take you home. You want me to have the car towed somewhere afterward? Looks like the front fender might interfere with driving it.”

Lisa gave him the name of her garage. Then with Slade hovering over her like a protective shield, she moved from her car to the police car. Once there, the patrolman contacted Detective Overson.

“He’s on his way,” the dispatcher informed them after a couple of minutes.

Detective Overson arrived fairly quickly, made a quick appraisal of the scene, then came to stand by the window of the patrol car to speak to Lisa. “Maybe you were the target the first time, but most likely not,” he said. “The feds are certain the sniper was a pro. This was definitely amateurish…” He paused then added, “If it even was an attempt on your life. Could have simply been a drunk driver.”

“She’s nearly been killed twice and you want to write them both off as being in the wrong place at the wrong time?” Slade demanded.

“I don’t intend to write either of them off. I was just mentioning the possibility.” Overson was an older man with graying hair, dark circles under his eyes and the look of someone who felt he carried the burden of the world on his shoulders. “Damn, if she was the original target this puts us back at square one.” His gaze focused on Lisa. “So who wants you dead?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea.”

“What cases are you working on?”

Lisa shifted uneasily. “If I open my files to you, then I might as well close shop. People come to me because I’m supposed to be a private investigator.”

The detective frowned impatiently. “We’re talking about your life.”

“I know. But my clients aren’t going to talk openly to you. Besides, I checked their backgrounds before I accepted their cases. None of them has a criminal record. If I thought I knew which one it was or even had a suspicion, I’d tell you. But I don’t. Let me go through my files and I’ll get back to you.”

Overson didn’t look pleased.

“This isn’t a game,” Slade growled at her. “Turn your files over and let me take you someplace safe until this nut is caught.”

“And what if he or she is never caught?” She looked to the detective. “How much time do you have to devote to my case?”

“I’ve got a pretty heavy caseload,” Overson admitted. “But I’ll give it priority.”

“For about a day or two,” she returned. “You’ll interview my clients, ruin my chances of ever getting another one, and probably come up with nothing. I’m a trained police officer. I was on the Lubbock force before I came here. The minute I even think I’ve got a whiff of a suspect, I’ll contact you.”

“I don’t like it. I could get a court order. If someone is after you, you’re hindering my investigation.”

“And I’ll tell the judge that you don’t even honestly believe someone is after me…that you’re invading my privacy and the privacy of my clients on a fishing expedition when you don’t even think there is a fish to be caught.”

He didn’t refute her words. After a long moment he said, “We’ll collect what evidence we can here just in case someone is after you. As for the shooting incident, everything points to it being a mob hit. Truth is, we turned that investigation over to the federal task force. They wanted it and, like I said, we’re overworked as it is. But I’ll take another look at the evidence.”

Slade wanted to insist that Lisa turn her files over to the police, but he knew from the look in her eyes that she was determined to investigate this herself. He also couldn’t fault her reasoning. The police would take a look, but if they couldn’t come up with a suspect right away, her case would go on the back burner.

The detective started to walk away, hesitated, then returned. “In case I’m wrong and you’re right, you take care of yourself. Watch your back.”

“I’ll be doing that,” Slade assured him.

Overson nodded and walked away.

Lisa sat quietly. She had her own plans for how to handle this situation, but this was not the time or place to confront Slade.

“So who wants to kill you?” Slade asked as they were being driven away from the scene.

Lisa gave him a wry look. “Don’t you think I would have told Detective Overson if I knew.”

“As I recall, you were always a stickler for detail. Even if you had a suspicion, you’d wait until you had proof before you would name anyone. That was a dangerous game then and it’s a doubly dangerous game now.”

“I have never liked putting innocent people on the hot seat.”

“So you do have someone in mind?” he persisted, studying her narrowly.

She breathed a frustrated sigh. “No. I honestly have no clue. I assume it has something to do with one of my cases, but none of them, on the surface, seems that volatile.”

“No unhappy clients?”

“Not really.”

“Did you uncover some information for a client that might make someone else angry?”

“Could be. There was a divorce case where I found some hidden assets, but that was several months ago.”

Another thought struck Slade. “Or maybe it’s someone you helped send to jail while you were on the force in Texas.”

Lisa’s jaw tensed. “Well, whoever it is, they’re going to be sorry when I catch up with them.”

Slade started to inform her that hell would freeze over before he allowed her to actually go looking for her assailant. But, deciding he didn’t want an audience for what he knew would be a heated debate, he chose not to argue with her at that moment.

“What happened?” Helen demanded, rushing out of the house as the police car pulled into the driveway and Lisa and Slade climbed out.

“Whoever tried to kill her before, tried again,” Slade said. “This time he tried to run her down.” Just saying the words sent a fresh chill down his spine.

Helen paled. “I thought she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“That’s still a possibility.” Lisa tried to ease her mother’s mind. “This might just have been a drunken driver.”

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