Nick continued, “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I think my Grandfather Ramsey is somehow involved. But as far as I know, he’s loaded, so there’s no real reason for any of it.”
Jack shrugged. “Have you thought about a gambling problem, or some other vice?”
Nick looked at Jack sharply. “You know what? It’s odd that the detective I have on it has never been able to dig up any dirt. It’s a guy that Dad supposedly trusts, but maybe I should hire someone else?”
Jack nodded his agreement. “Don’t forget, your grandfather grew up in Richmond too, didn’t he? He probably has all the same connections your dad has.”
“I’d better get on that right away,” Nick said. “Thanks, Jack.”
“Anytime,” Jack answered, turning his eyes back on his computer.
* * *
A few weeks later, even though his offer for his dream house he and Emma had found had been accepted, Nick was sitting in his new office, looking glum.
Knocking quickly, Jack walked into the office, settling in the comfortable chair near Nick’s desk.
“Okay. No more of this stupid silence. You’re acting like you did when you broke up with Marissa, and I want to know what’s going on.”
Nick growled, “Alright, already. Emma found out that I have money, and she said she needed some time.”
Jack was surprised. “You finally told her?”
“No. I did something better. I bought us a house.”
Jack shook his head, looking dazed. “So, let me get this straight. You took her house hunting, found that house you both loved, and without mentioning the fact that you’re loaded, you put an offer in on it without even talking about it first and letting her have time to adjust?”
“That about sums it up,” Nick murmured. “The fact that I have money has never been a problem with the women I’ve dated in the past.”
“But Emma isn’t just any woman. You two were made for each other, Nick, but you can’t just reveal a secret like that, without giving her some time to think about it. She probably feels inferior, like maybe she’s not good enough for you now. Remember her reaction on Bali?”
Nick groaned. “I wasn’t insulting the fact that she was a hairdresser. I told her that and apologized.”
“I think she mentioned her original plans had been to go to college, before her dad became ill and he had to retire early? She might still be sensitive about it.”
“That didn’t even occur to me Jack. I haven’t even been back to the house since I closed on it.”
“Find a way to get Emma out there, and finish what you started. Make it romantic. Propose to her, you idiot.”
Nick looked at Jack in astonishment. “It’s too soon, isn’t it?”
“You’ve been planning on marrying her from the start. Get her to realize that the money doesn’t matter.”
Nick became thoughtful.
Nick’s phone suddenly rang, and glancing at his caller ID, he switched it on.
“Amy? How’s everything going? Are you and Angel enjoying Mike’s leave?”
Mike was Nick’s half-brother, married to Amy, and Angel was his niece.
Jack sat up in his seat, as Nick appeared to be in shock after listening to whatever Amy had to say.
“I’m on my way home, Amy. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Amy sounded so frantic that Jack could hear her over the phone.
“Okay. Try and stay calm.”
“What’s happening?” Jack asked.
“Mike’s been shot. I’m going to call Jake Loughlin and see if his private plane’s available so I can fly directly to Richmond.”
“I can handle it Nick. Go pack a few things. Make sure you leave a message for Emma, so she doesn’t think you’ve abandoned her.”
Nick nodded firmly. “Good idea. I’ll do that on the plane.”
* * *
Luckily, Jake Loughlin’s plane and pilot had been available when Jack had given Jake a call and explained the situation. Nick could have hired a plane, but it still would have taken hours.
The situation seemed pretty serious, but Mike would live, even though he might never walk again. Jack told Nick to take all the time he needed, because it was busy, but nothing Jack couldn’t handle on his own.
Plus, he liked having work to do, because he felt a lot less lonely when he didn’t have time to think.
He was starting to get worried about Janelle, since he hadn’t heard from her since Christmas. Jack was still sending pictures whenever he got the chance, but he was growing increasingly depressed about the fact that she never replied to his emails.
Chapter Sixteen
Quantico, Virginia
Sitting in the chair in front of the Colonel’s desk, Janelle’s mouth gaped open as she tried to understand his orders.
“You’d like me to do what, Sir?”
“You’ve been shot, Lieutenant, although luckily you’re going to be fine, and it was just a flesh wound. I’ve heard you have friends in Crystal Rock, and there’s been intel coming in about both the wounded warrior home and the retraining center.”
“Terrorists? In Wisconsin?”
“You’d have the perfect cover. And no one would think twice if you kept an eye on the sites while you did some rehab. If it goes on indefinitely, you could
