“Between the ages of eleven and sixteen he was picked up an additional four times for driving without a license,” he continued. “Because he was a minor, there was little that could be done. His parents were fined, promised to keep him out of a vehicle, and then pleaded ignorance whenever he was picked up.”
“He sounds incorrigible,” Ivy noted. “How come stricter measures weren’t taken with the parents?”
“That is a good question.” Jack’s expressions deepened as he continued reading. “As far as I can tell, every time he was picked up the parents acted upset. The cops thought it was kind of funny, but only because nobody was ever hurt.”
“Somebody has been hurt now.”
“I would say so.” Jack moved his finger down the screen, following the timeline. “He has so many unpaid parking tickets I can’t even count them up. I think the reason he’s doing community service is because they realize they’re never going to get that money out of him and there has to be some sort of punishment for the legal system to work.”
“I get that.” Ivy searched Jack’s serious face. “Does he have a license?”
“Oddly enough, he does.”
“Are you going to talk to him anyway?”
Jack fought to keep a straight face ... and failed. “What do you think?”
“Can I go with you?”
“You have to wait in the truck.”
“Why does that matter? He’s going to know I told you anyway.”
“He is, but I will feel better if I know you’re safe in the truck. That’s the only way I’ll take you along for the ride.”
Ivy folded her arms over her chest, bitter. “It was more fun when you considered me your partner.”
“You’re my partner forever, but we have to be very careful on this one. I don’t want you getting in even more trouble. You have to stay in the truck. That’s the only way I’ll allow this.”
Because she knew he was serious, Ivy nodded. He was trying to protect her. He would always go out of his way to protect her. She couldn’t fault him for that. “Fine. After that, can we go home and eat some cake and pie? I’m starving.”
“That’s because you didn’t finish your dinner. You have to eat that first.”
“Man, you’re strict.”
“That’s because I love you.”
“I guess I can live with that.”
THE HOUSE JASON RENTED WAS RUN-DOWN by Shadow Lake standards. The town was a tourist destination in the summer months for those who wanted to golf and spend time on a quiet lake. In the winter, snow sport enthusiasts — mainly skiers and snowmobilers — also descended on the area. Basically, you didn’t have to be rich to live in Shadow Lake, but the cost of living wasn’t exactly cheap. Locals took pride in their property, at least for the most part, and the town was always clean and maintained. It didn’t look like anyone had taken pride in Jason’s house in a long time.
“This is ... lovely,” Jack noted as he put the truck in park and stared through the windshield. The sun was just beginning to set, so there was plenty of natural light to operate under. It only served to illuminate the house’s many flaws.
“It must be a rental,” Ivy offered, resting her head against the passenger side window as she studied the house. “I would love to know who the property manager is because he has some explaining to do. We should report this to the DDA. I mean ... look at those lilac bushes. They’re so overgrown they’re choking out the underbrush.”
Jack’s lips curved into a grin. “Only you would be offended by that.”
“Hey, I know a lot of people who would be offended by this house.”
Since he agreed, Jack opted to let it go. “I’m going to leave the truck running.” He hesitated a beat and then barreled forward. “If something happens, I want you to drive off and get help. I don’t want you hanging around.”
They both knew she would never leave Jack in a time of crisis, but she responded in the manner she knew he wanted. “I’ll be a good girl and protect myself, Jack. You don’t have to worry about me. Worry about Jason.”
“Does he strike you as the sort of person who is armed?”
Ivy didn’t need Jack to explain what he was worried about. He’d been shot once before. She’d seen inside his nightmares. As far as he’d come, it was something that he was unlikely to ever get over. Because of that, she made up her mind on the spot. “You know what? Let’s call Brian and have him serve as backup.”
Jack arched an eyebrow. “Do you think I can’t check on Jason myself?”
“I think ... I think I would never get over it if something happened to you. Let’s call Brian.”
“I’m just going to knock on his door and ask a few questions. It’s going to be okay.” He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. “He might not even be here. Just ... relax.”
That was easier said than done. Now that he’d put the idea into her head, she couldn’t shake it. She sat in her seat and watched as Jack carefully picked his way through the trash-filled yard. She knew he was watching every angle for movement. She couldn’t stop herself from doing the same.
As he climbed the steps that led to the front door, her eyes were drawn to the left. There, a crop of trees stood in the middle of what could loosely be described as a field (or maybe a landfill on a bad day). The trees offered the only beauty in a field of literal trash. Between the abandoned lawn mower that was tipped over on its side and what looked to be a random car muffler sitting in the middle of the yard, Ivy was horrified by the entire setup.
And then she caught a hint of movement.
Her breath clogged in her throat as she
