BirthStone Page 16

  “I can’t believe you killed them on hospital grounds,” Leon said.

  “I have a cleanup crew on the way. Any activity in her room?”

  “No, it’s quiet. No one’s been in since he left. Any idea who that was?”

  “More than an idea. I know exactly who it was. I’ve got to call this in to La Patron. Hold down the fort until I can get back there,” Tyrese said before he bent to check the pockets of the dead men.

  “Roger that.”

  Tyrese checked each man with methodical precision, falling back on his military training. Just as he finished, a large white van pulled up and Froggy stepped out.

  “Wot you got ‘ere?”

  “Two dead pawns whose job it was to keep me from reaching their boss. He got away in a large navy blue suburban a few minutes ago.”

  Froggy nodded and then threw the first man over his shoulder, walked to the back of the van and tossed him in.

  Tyrese watched to make sure there were no problems before he contacted Silas. After tossing in the second body, Froggy saluted him and drove off. Returning to the surveillance room, Tyrese went over everything that happened, checking to see if there was anything he could have done differently to change the end result. Once he entered the hospital he reached out to Silas.

  “La Patron?”

  “Tyrese.”

  “Merriweather was here, dressed as a nurse, and took at least one vial of blood from Julie.”

  “Continue.”

  Tyrese went on to give Silas a full accounting, including the removal of the dead bodies.

  “Have the doctors check to see if he administered anything to her as well. I don’t think you can get another angle in that room, but have Leon check. I will contact the police captain. I’m sure he will want to see the tapes, so make him a copy.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Tyrese relaxed a bit.

  “One of you can stand by her door. According to the doctor she is too weak to attempt to escape. I want all activity in her room monitored, they may send someone again.” He paused. “I see Leon sent the plate information on the truck, I’ll pass that on to the captain as well. Good job, Rese.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” Tyrese’s spirit lightened as he reached the top floor near the surveillance room.

  “Leon, La Patron wants one of us at her door to monitor traffic in and out of her room.”

  Leon stood and placed his cell phone in his pocket.

  “I’ll contact the administrator so they understand what you’re doing and don’t interfere. In fact, I’ll have them give you a list of personnel who can enter her room.” Tyrese pulled out his cell to make the calls.

  “I’m on it,” Leon said as he left.

  Tyrese returned to his seat and watched the monitors. Silas had been right; there was only one camera angle in that room. He couldn’t tell if Merriweather had done anything other than take blood. He split the view and watched Leon peek inside the room before resuming his new post next to the door.

  The line to the administrator went to voice mail and Tyrese hung up. He called again a few more times, but received the same result. Tyrese was observing Julie, when she jerked and flailed on her bed. Lights and bells went off as nurses ran by a startled Leon into her room.

  “What the fuck?” Leon said through their link as he was pushed out of the way by a nurse bringing in a cart with a large defibrillator. Dread filled Tyrese’s gut as the nurse placed the paddles on Julie’s chest two more times. She never recovered.

  Tyrese stared as the room cleared, leaving Julie just as alone in death as she had been the past few weeks. He zoned out Leon’s questions as he continued to stare at the still woman lying on the bed. There was no question in his mind that the woman had been murdered. Matt would handle the autopsy to see if there was any trace of whatever Merriweather had given her.

  Could I have done something differently? Nothing came to mind, his instructions had been to monitor from afar and that'd kept him from being close enough to grab the bastard.

  He slammed his palm against the desk and turned away from the sight. “La Patron.”

  “Tyrese,” Silas answered through their link.

  “She’s dead. Julie. They tried to revive her and failed. She’s lying in her room alone. You will probably receive a call soon. I’m sorry, Sir.”

  “No. You did your job, you both did. There was always a chance of this happening. With the camera footage, an eyewitness, and now her death, the human police can legitimately pick Merriweather up for questioning. This is not the way I planned things, but the end result is the same, along with a huge bonus.”

  Tyrese faced the bank of monitors again. Leon remained at his post. The corridor traffic remained the same. Life went on even in the midst of death.

  “Bonus?”

  “Yes. The van belongs to Virginia Cochran, one of Corrina Griggs' former names. The police can pick her up as well. Rone was preparing to search for her and now we will work with the authorities to bring them both in.”

  Tyrese whistled. “They’re fat cats in the state, why would they risk something like this? They knew we were watching, I can’t believe they took that kind of chance.”

  “Eh…who knows? I want to talk to both of them. If one of them placed the bomb in Jennings, they will pay through wolf justice. Not human prisons.”

  Tyrese heard the judgment in Silas’ voice and knew he planned to handle it personally.

  “What would you like me to do now, Sir?”

  “I’ll update the captain, and a detective should be there within the hour. You’ll be his point of contact. Tell him what happened, show him the video in the hospital, and a portion of the parking lot action. There’s no need for him to see the destruction of the two men who disappeared. The captain is aware of this but let’s not broadcast the information. The hospital security cams have already been altered.”

  Tyrese should not have been surprised at how fast Silas worked but he was. “Yes, Sir.”

  “How is Leonidas working out?”

  Tyrese watched the big man on the monitor. “He has not moved from his post and has been steady. He wanted to fight…he needs to run. We all do.” Silas had restricted all of them from running in the forest, and the gym track just wasn’t the same. Although they all understood his reasoning, it had been too long since he felt the ground beneath his paws or pulled down prey. His wolf needed to be free and become one with the earth.

  “Yes, when you come in tonight, the six of you should run.”

  “Six?”

  “The two of you, Rone, Rose, Cameron, and Lilly. I want you calm for the christening tomorrow. Be careful that Renee, Mark, and Victoria don't catch sight of you. Maybe after dinner you can run.”

  “Dinner?”

  “Yes. My mate expects all of you here for dinner tonight and tomorrow night. I do not want her disappointed.”

  “You don’t want to be at the table alone with them is what you mean,” Tyrese said, chuckling.

  “Exactly.”

  Chapter 19

  Silas walked into the silent dining area. Mark and Jacques were alone in the room, staring at each other. Silas had to give it to Mark for standing up to a much larger Jacques, even though in the end it wouldn’t matter. Jacques had waited centuries for his mate and would never back off now. Mark seemed just as determined to stand his ground.

  “The minister has arrived. Jasmine and her mother are meeting him now to show him where to refresh himself.” Silas filled his plate with steak and eggs from the side buffet before turning toward the table. Neither man spoke.

  He placed his plate on the table and glanced at Mark, who made no pretense of eating, and then at Jacques, who leaned back in his chair glaring at Mark.

  “Victoria told me,” Mark said in a smug tone. “We will prepare for the christening after she returns.”

  Silas heard the low rumble in Jacques throat. Where were the twins, he wondered. Renee walked into the dining room. She stopped, looked at Jacques and Mar
k.

  “Morning, everyone.” The twinkle in her eyes warned Silas her addition to breakfast would liven things up a bit.

  “Morning, Renee,” Silas said, watching Jacques.

  “Hello, dear Renee,” Jacques said, smiling at the woman.

  Mark frowned.

  Silas wondered if Jacques had found a champion in Jasmine’s sister.

  “Morning, Renee,” Mark said as she sat across the table from Silas and winked at him.

  “Where’s everybody?” she asked before taking a sip of her grapefruit juice.

  “Jasmine and Victoria are meeting with the minister, he arrived a short while ago. They will show him the small cathedral where the christening of my Jacqueline will take place,” Jacques said with smug satisfaction.

  “And my Renee,” she said, smiling at Jacques. “It’s a hoot having the kids named after us isn’t it?”

  “Hoot?” Jacques laughed.

  Frowning, Silas sputtered.

  Mark smiled.

  “An honor for sure,” Jacques said in a somber tone. “Such beautiful babies, healthy and strong. It is an honor to stand for them, one I pledge my life to uphold.”

  “Thank you,” Silas said as he received the tribute from his oldest friend.

  “They are beautiful, kinda big for their ages though.” She gazed at Silas.

  He shrugged. “I’m big.”

  Her brows furrowed as she looked him over with a doubtful expression. “Mandy didn’t believe me when I said they were crawling and scooting. She said they were too young to be doing that.”

  Silas had no idea what Jasmine planned to tell her sister, so he shrugged and remained silent.

  “I brought gratitude stones for each of my nieces and nephews,” Renee said in between bites. “I chose each one based on the characteristics Jas told me.” She looked at Silas. “It’s hard to believe each one is so different. Renee’s an artist. She showed me her coloring pages and already she’s mixing colors and making beautiful abstracts.”

  Silas laughed. Only a doting relative would call the coloring over previous colors on paper, abstract art. “She is talented.”

  “My Jacqueline is a strategist. She sees patterns and creates from the obscure. It is a great gift to have. You have been blessed.”

  Silas glanced at Jacques and realized the man was serious. Jackie worked puzzles and was pretty good at it. But so did the others. Granted they didn’t work on them all day like she did, but he had attributed it to her liking the texture and feel of the pieces.

  “Adam…now that one right there. You’re going to have to watch him. He’s going to be a ladies’ man straight up. Jasmine will rein him in some. She did that with the twins. Kept them out of trouble when trouble in a skirt came looking for them.” Chuckling, she shook her head. “He reminds me of Rone. Charming, but slick.” Staring at Silas, she pointed her fork. “My sister can and will handle them all, but she shouldn’t have to. Adam is going to be the break wild child in that bunch and he will need a firm hand.”

  “Adam is … playful,” Silas said, agreeing with her assessment.

  “David has alpha male written all over him, which is creepy in a way because he’s so young,” Renee said. “I mean that’s not a bad thing, but he’s so serious. And the way he watches everything and everybody…” She gazed at Jacques, who shrugged.

  “Oh come on, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. He’s younger than Adam, but he has this look he gives his brother.” She made a face Silas thought mimicked his son perfectly. “And Adam backs up. It’s like they listen to him or something. It’s cool, just weird.”

  “My son is not weird,” Silas said with a grin to soften the impact. No need to alienate his mate’s sister. “He is smart to watch his surroundings and people in them. Children can sense a person’s true nature, and danger as well. I think all of my…children are special and wise.”

  Renee clapped as she laughed. “Spoken like a proud papa.”

  Silas nodded. “I am.”

  “Well, David wouldn’t have anything to do with me yesterday, but the others did. I hope to win his trust in time,” Jacques said.

  Mark snorted before taking a sip from his cup.

  Renee glanced in Mark’s direction. “You’re not the only one, Jacques. He wouldn’t let Mark hold him either.”

  Mark looked up with a smirk. “I don’t think Adam is the only ladies man, Renee. David only allowed the women to hold him.” He glanced at Silas. “Other than you of course.”

  Silas hadn’t thought about it but Mark was right. David made allowances for the twins, but had little to do with Cameron or Hank, the head of security. He would talk to Jasmine about that.

  “Smart boy,” Renee smirked.

  Jacques laughed.

  Mark’s smile appeared forced. “Not everyone hates men you know. Victoria and I have gone to the homes of my lesbian friends for meals and we all have a great time. Just because you prefer women does not mean you have to dog men.”

  “Uh… yeah it does.” She held her hand up, cutting Mark off, before pointing her finger at him. “Not because some of you guys aren’t cool. I like and respect a few guys. But for the most part, I dislike you guys on general principle. Most men haven’t got a clue how to treat a woman, let alone respect her. You give women what you think they need and usually that falls way short of what’s actually necessary. And then you fall back on fragile egos, guilting her into taking watered down affection that masquerades as a relationship.

  “Most men are still little boys stomping their feet in a pseudo temper tantrum trying to get their way. They need to grow the hell up and recognize women bring just as much to the proverbial table. Sperm alone has no creative ability; likewise an unfertilized egg is a life of sterility. It takes two working in tandem with each other in appreciation and respect of who they are at the core to make a decent relationship. Everything else makes it better. Most men have no idea who their woman is at her core level and that…” She tapped the table with her finger. “That’s the reason I dislike men. They want fast food style relationships instead of using a crock pot to allow the flavors of individuality time to develop.”

  No one spoke.

  “I believe Jasmine said you taught at a college,” Jacques said into the quiet. “Your students are well served by your brilliance. You have given me pause. I heard everything you said and as I examine my past actions, fear you are correct. I will remember your wise words in the future.”

  “Suck up,” Mark whispered.

  Silas heard and could tell by Jacques' reddening face that he had as well. “That was an interesting point of view, Renee.” Silas spoke to ease the rising tension in the room. “Does Jasmine believe the same as you?”

  Renee’s cheeks pinkened. “Some. She is utterly heterosexual.” She glanced at Jacques. “Like mom.”

  Silas' brow rose as she sidestepped his question regarding how women see men. He would discuss it with his mate later.

  “Why did you look at him when you said that?” Mark asked in an angry tone.

  Renee glanced at him with a bored expression. “What do you mean? I was making conversation.”

  “Silas, you may not be aware of this, but your friend here has been making inappropriate remarks and attempting to get my fiancé alone. We are invited guests in your home and I would appreciate it if you would ask him to stop pursuing my future wife.”

  Silas heard the growl low in Jacques throat and whipped out a command through the link. “Cease.” The sound stopped.

  “You are right, my fiancé invited her family to the christening of our children and I apologize if you feel uncomfortable for any reason. I will have a talk with Jacques. I promised my lady nothing would interfere with this day. I want her happy.” He glanced at Jacques, who got the message. But just in case he did not, Silas sent a more direct one through their link.

  “Do not make me ban you from the compound. I will not have anyone mess up this day for my family and that includes my m
ate’s mother. Can you back off?”

  Jacques was silent.

  “I will only ask once again. Can you back off?” Giving Jacques a choice was a boon and they both knew it.

  “Yes, Sir. It is killing me seeing her with him. My wolf goes wild at her scent and to smell him on her…it is hard not to kill him.”

  “Thank you, Silas. Victoria was becoming upset at his pursuit.” Mark stood. “I’m going to the room to wait for Victoria. I’ll see you all at the christening.” He turned and left.

  “I don’t like him,” Jacques said after a moment or two.

  “Why?” Renee asked, gazing at the man. “I mean I get that you like mom and all, but she really likes this guy. So other than being jealous that he’s with the woman you want, why don’t you like him?”

  Jacques shook his head. “I don’t know. I just don’t.”

  Silas watched Jacques struggle to bring his wolf under control. He wondered how he would have handled meeting Jasmine when she had been married to Davian. A streak of anger sliced through him. His wolf growled low in his belly at the thought of his mate with anyone else. No doubt he would have recognized her as his mate and his animal instincts would have taken over. She would have had him arrested or worst. It would not have been pretty.

  “I understand,” he said, meeting Jacques' sad gaze. The wolf wants what the wolf needs. His friend had to be patient. Human relationships were fragile things, easily broken. Silas would work behind the scenes to expedite that conclusion.

  Renee stood. “I do too. Good luck with mom. She needs a steady mature man on her arm. I think you fit the bill.” She winked at Jacques. “I’m going to call Mandy and then get ready for the christening, I’ll see you guys there.” She waved as she left the room.