Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set Read online

  “I’ve got a guy to do that. All you have to do is keep Cunningham occupied for an hour. We’ll do the rest.”

  Carter must have assumed I was up for the task. I figured it was a great opportunity to prove myself, especially after screwing up my last assignment several weeks ago. “Sounds straight forward enough. I think I can handle it.”

  “Good. This is where the Sanborn family is staying.” Carter rolled down his window and keyed a sequence of numbers into a keypad, at which point an iron gate swung open. Before us was an elegant plantation-style home, looking like it belonged on the cover of a magazine.

  “Not too shabby. I wonder what it costs to rent this place for a week.”

  “More than I make in a year, I’m sure.”

  I followed Carter’s lead and exited the jeep. A tall, lanky guy with thick black hair and heavy sideburns came out to greet us.

  “You must be Sarah. I’m Richard Kimball.” Friendly brown eyes greeted me. I shook his outstretched hand and decided he was the perfect combination of Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley. “I’m glad you’re here,” he said. “Carter sings your praises.”

  “That’s a song I’d like to hear,” I said.

  Richard chuckled and waved his hand around in a big circle. “This will be our headquarters for the next week or so. We’ve been invited to come and go as we please. Everyone will have the gate code to get in and out. Dr. Theo and his daughter Jessica insisted on being here in case we find Toby. They got in late last night.”

  “This place is gorgeous,” I said.

  “Well,” Richard said with much enthusiasm, “Dr. Theo can afford it. Did Carter tell you he’s a heart surgeon back in Boston? He’s made millions on his invention; something to do with heart valves. Anyway, he’s funding this whole gig. Only thing he cares about is finding his grandson.”

  “Losing a child is every family’s worst nightmare,” I said.

  Richard nodded in agreement. “I don’t have any kids, so I can’t imagine what it must be like. However, Toby has been on my mind constantly over the past eight months, though I’ve never met the little guy.”

  Carter was leaning against the SUV, listening to our chat. He didn’t have much to add to the conversation, so I turned back to face Richard. “What are the chances we’ll find the boy?”

  Richard took a deep breath and stole a quick glance behind him to ensure no one was coming out of the house. “Honestly, I really thought Cunningham would have his son with him.”

  “Maybe he left him with a family member,” I said.

  “Cunningham hasn’t spoken to his foster parents since he graduated high school, and he doesn’t have any other family that we know of. I’ve already contacted the few friends he has back home.”

  I paused to consider other possibilities. “A new girlfriend, perhaps?”

  Richard shrugged. “That’s what we hope to find out very soon.”

  “We’re assuming the boy is still alive,” Carter said. “Nobody wants to talk about the alternative, but we have to be prepared for anything.”

  Richard looked away, running a hand through his black pompadour. “Believe me, I’ve thought about it plenty. Anyway.” Richard clapped his hands together in an apparent effort to lighten the mood and jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “We should go in. The Sanborn’s are anxious to meet you, Sarah.”

  We entered though a massive pair of carved wooden doors depicting Polynesian symbols. A spacious room, with floor to ceiling windows, overlooked a meticulously landscaped terrace leading directly to the ocean’s edge. To the left was a kitchen area with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. To the right, sliding screen doors led to a covered lanai where three people sat at a table.

  “Oh yeah,” Richard said, stopping us before we went any further. He lowered his voice. “The other guy you see with the Sanborn’s is Alex O’Malley. He’s an attorney, and a close friend of Dr. Theo. I guess he came along for moral support. He’s been a big help to the family since Toby was abducted.”

  We continued out to the balcony. Richard introduced us. I shook Jessica’s hand. “I’m so sorry for all you’ve had to endure, Jessica.”

  There was a flicker of sadness in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. “Thank you so much for agreeing to help us.”

  Next was the older gentleman. He gave a courteous nod. “Hello, I’m Doctor Sanborn, but call me Theo.” He seemed refined, with hardly a wrinkle on his face, dressed impeccably with a soft blue button down shirt and pleated slacks.

  The attorney looked to be in his mid-thirties with dark red hair parted on the side, slicked back with too much hair gel. Rimless reading glasses made his eyes appear very large. “Alex O’Malley,” he said. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  “Do you have children, Sarah?” Jessica asked.

  I nodded. “Yes, my son Brian graduates high school next year. Well, I hope he graduates.”

  My lighthearted comment elicited some quiet laughter.

  “Really?” she said. “You don’t look old enough to have a teenager.”

  Jessica’s generous compliment surprised me. I had to remind myself she wasn’t even twenty years old. I found her maturity and grace remarkable considering the circumstances.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Jessica motioned for us to take a seat at the table. She poured some water and offered up a plate of finger sandwiches. “Please help yourself.”

  I looked toward the kitchen and noticed an older woman wearing a bright apron.

  Jessica took notice. “Maggie was recommended by the management company. She’s a fabulous cook and runs errands. We’re not supposed to leave the house.”

  “It’s important for Dr. Theo and Jessica to stay close,” Richard added. “We can’t risk Cunningham seeing them around town.”

  “Sure, I understand,” I said, choosing my own sandwich from the plate.

  “So,” Doctor Theo said as he focused his sights on Richard, “you mentioned you had another guy coming?”

  “A surveillance expert. Should be here any minute. He’s bringing the equipment we’ll need for the job tomorrow.” Richard glanced down at his watch. “His flight landed a few hours ago.”

  Dr. Theo interlaced his long fingers and rested his elbows on the table. His movements were slow and calculated. “Is there anything we can do in the meantime?”

  “I don’t think so. I know it’s hard to sit tight, but we should have some answers soon.”

  Jessica stared at the half-eaten sandwich on her plate like it was a piece of mold. Her father looked disheartened. “You need to eat more, sweetheart. Are you feeling okay?”

  She slowly stood up from the table. “I’m a little tired from jet-lag. I should lie down for a bit. I hope you’ll excuse me.” She gave a polite wave as she departed.

  Dr. Theo watched his daughter walk away. “She’s trying to be strong,” he said. “But worry has taken its toll.” He looked down at his hands. “If we don’t find my grandson soon, I’m afraid she’s going to make herself sick. She’s been having terrible ulcers. As you can see, she refuses to eat a thing.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Richard said.

  An uncomfortable silence was broken by a loud knock on the door.

  Carter looked up. “That must be Max.”

  I gasped at the mention of the name. “Max?” I said.

  Carter went for the door to let him. I got to my feet; half excited, half terrified.

  Sure enough, it was him. Max Stevens. I caught the green of his eyes all the way across the room. How could I forget those eyes, curly dark blonde hair, and tall, lean muscular frame? He was wearing a white t-shirt and cargo pants, slightly wrinkled.

  When they returned to the lanai, I stood still, unable to move. Max spotted me and dropped his duffel bag. “Sarah?”

  I lifted a limp hand to wave. “Hey.” It was all my witty brain could think of.

  “What are you doing here?” Max slowly turned to Carter for an explan
ation. “What is Sarah doing here?”

  Carter motioned for him to have a seat. “Sarah has worked with me before. Her role is important to this assignment. I forgot you two knew each other.”

  Max tilted his head as if he didn’t understand. He turned to look at me again, apparent confusion in his eyes. “You never told me you were working for Carter.”

  Evading his glare, I said, “Uh, guess it never came up.”

  Carter seemed amused. “You two know each other better than I thought.”

  Richard seemed to sense the tension. “Why don’t we go over our game plan for tomorrow. Have a seat, Max.”

  Max hesitantly obeyed, but the look on his face suggested he was still uncomfortable.

  Richard continued. “The massage appointment is set for ten tomorrow morning at Cunningham’s house. Sarah will drive the KIA while Max hides in the back. Ten minutes after Sarah starts the massage, Max will enter the house and do what he needs to do. Make sense so far?”

  Everyone nodded.

  Richard looked at me. “Sarah, you’ll be wearing a transmitter. If things don’t go as planned, Max will have a heads up to clear the premises.”

  Dr. Theo cleared his throat and turned his attention to Max. “What kind of surveillance will you be installing, Mr. Stevens?”

  Max straightened up and addressed the doctor. “Have you heard of a line of products called Safenet?”

  The doctor shook his head. “Sorry, son. If it doesn’t have to do with the medical field, I’m completely lost. I trust you know your stuff.” Dr. Theo looked back at Carter. “Do we know of anyone that might interfere with this operation?”

  “I’ve looked into that,” Carter said. “Cunningham has a cleaning lady, but she was there yesterday. I doubt he’d need his house cleaned again by tomorrow morning.”

  “What about a security system in his home?”

  “There’s no security gate to worry about, but we’re still unclear what he has in the house. Max knows a thing or two about disarming them if there’s a problem.”

  “Well,” Dr. Theo said. “Sounds like you’ve thought of everything.”

  Richard pushed himself up from the table and offered a reassuring smile. “We hope to have some answers for you soon, Doctor.”

  Dr. Theo appeared frustrated as he glanced out the window towards the ocean. His grandson was missing, and he couldn’t fix it.

  Alex O’Malley cleared his throat as he shifted in his seat. “Mind if I ask a few questions before we disperse?” His focus was on Richard.

  “Go for it,” Richard replied.

  “Well,” he pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, “forgive me for being blunt, but the illegal nature of this whole plan makes me a little nervous. Any information you recover from Cunningham’s home will be inadmissible in court. In fact, the whole thing could potentially backfire if the police have to get involved.”

  Dr. Theo raised a hand. “It’s all right, Alex. I know it’s your job to be concerned with the legal aspects, but I’m done playing by the rules. If that means breaking a law or two, so be it. The police have done next to nothing.”

  O’Malley nodded. “I just wanted to be clear about the inherent risks.”

  Richard clapped his hands together and pushed himself up from the table. “Great. I guess that’s it for now. Carter and I will take turns watching Cunningham’s house. Max and Sarah, you guys can head back to the hotel and rest up. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

  Chapter 4

  “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” Max asked as we sat in his jeep. “Did you forget my sister was killed because she stuck her nose where it didn’t belong? I can’t have the same thing happen to you.” He turned away, jaw muscles clenched.

  Max and I had met six months earlier after his sister Beth was murdered at my office. In the midst of the investigation, we’d gotten to know each other pretty well and had become friends. But when he kissed me after dinner one night, I had done little to stop him. Since that time, I’d been trying like hell to get him out of my mind, with little success.

  “This case is important,” I said. “We both know what’s at stake here.”

  Max didn’t look convinced. “You act like this is going to be easy, but things are never as they seem. What happens if this Cunningham guy becomes aggressive?”

  When I didn’t respond, Max sighed and started the engine. “Look,” he said, “who am I to judge? I’m here, too.”

  “Why’d you fly all this way to work for Carter?” I asked, giving him a dose of his own medicine. “I thought you despised him.”

  “Living off the sale of my business won’t last forever. I need the work.”

  “I know you have issues with Carter. I’ll admit, his approach is rather eccentric, but he’s really a decent guy.”

  “Why are you doing this, Sarah? Are you so unhappy with your life that you’re willing to risk everything?”

  What was I risking? My marriage was on the skids, my son would be leaving for college before long, and my massage career nearly bored me to tears. “It’s an opportunity to help someone in need.”

  Max looked away. “Okay. I guess I’ll have to accept that.”

  “I’m flattered that you care.”

  A little smile started to form on his lips. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay?”

  “Yes, sir.” I brought my hand up to my temple in a mock salute.

  “Let me take you to dinner tonight,” Max said. “I want to hear all about your exploits with Carter.”

  There was nothing I’d like better than to spend an evening with Max, gazing into those green eyes for hours. It would be the highlight of my trip. But feelings of guilt started to bubble up. “I really wish I could, but Daniel hurt his back this morning. I should probably stay close to the hotel room to make sure he’s okay.”

  “Oh.” The smile disintegrated. “I didn’t know he came with you.”

  “Daniel was supposed to be out playing golf every day while I was working.”

  “How’d he hurt himself?”

  “Slipped on a spilled drink,” I said, trying to refrain from smiling. “I wish I could have seen it. I’m sure it was grace in motion.” I put a finger to my lower lip. “Does that make me a bad person?”

  Max smiled. “Maybe a little.”

  Chapter 5

  It was quarter to five when I got back to the room. Daniel was still on the couch, wide awake and furious.

  “Damn it, Sarah! Where the hell have you been?”

  I ran over to him, feeling guilty. “I was at the pool then went for a walk. Why didn’t you call my cell?”

  “I can’t find my phone.”

  “I’m sorry. I figured you’d call if you needed me.”

  “I need more of your Valium,” Daniel said. “Now would be great.”

  “Fine.” I got the pills and some water.

  “I gotta piss,” he said after taking the meds. “Help me to the bathroom.”

  I glared at him. How dare he be so demanding?

  He cocked his head and regarded me as if I were an idiot. “Well? What are you waiting for? You want me to piss myself, or what?”

  I actually considered it, but then I’d have to help him change out of urine soaked underwear. I wanted to slap him for being so clumsy. Reluctantly, I reached over and grabbed his arm. I wasn’t very gentle.

  “Never mind,” he said, pushing me away. “I’ll figure it out myself.”

  He managed to extricate himself from the couch. I watched as he lumbered toward the bathroom, grumbling obscenities under his breath.

  His journey back to the couch was borderline pitiful. “Are you hungry? You want me to get you something down at the restaurant?”

  “Whatever.”

  “Do you want to eat or what?”

  He paused. “Fine. Get me a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milk shake. Make it two chee
seburgers.”

  I grabbed my purse. “I’ll be back.”

  I headed down to the tiki bar restaurant and approached the cute young hostess standing next to a small podium.

  “Just one for dinner tonight?” she asked in her singsong voice.

  “Actually, I need to order something to take back to my room. Two cheeseburgers, fries, chocolate shake and, uh, do you have a fried chicken sandwich on the menu?”

  “We do.” She took a moment to write it all down. “It’ll be about ten minutes if you’d like to wait in the bar. I’ll bring it out when it’s ready.”

  “Thank you.”

  The bar was decorated with a vast array of tacky Polynesian embellishments. It did nothing to improve my mood. The delicate ocean breeze and soft ukulele music mocked my pain. I scanned the area and noticed Max sitting at a table, alone. It nearly broke my heart. He was facing in the opposite direction, oblivious to my presence. I wanted nothing more than to join him and have a romantic dinner while drinking Mai Tai’s. Instead, I had to attend a cranky, unappreciative husband who acted as if he was mortally wounded.

  I turned around, faced the bar, and rested my elbows on the counter while I watched the bartender flirt with the hostess. Eventually, a thought occurred to me. Was there a reason Max kept showing up in my life? Could it be a sign that we should be together, or was it just wishful thinking?

  Even if I did separate from Daniel, there was no guarantee that Max and I would work out. But anything was better than being in a dead marriage.

  A few minutes passed. I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to talk to Max. I spun the stool around, but it was too late. The table was now empty.

  “Ma’am?” the hostess said, rousing me from my thoughts. “Here’s your order.”

  “Thank you.” I signed the receipt and headed back.

  Daniel barely thanked me for the meal, but I didn’t care. We ate in silence, he on the couch and me on the lanai. I was in bed by eight.

  Chapter 6