It was enough to make Bailee doubt her suspicions…until the door opened.
Wearing a lovely green dress with her pale hair in long, perfectly styled waves and her makeup expertly applied, Jane opened the door with a cordial smile. Her blue eyes landed on Bailee. The smile dropped. The door closed with a resounding slam that vibrated the entry in its wooden frame.
“That went better than I expected.” Her wry tone spurred chuckles from the brothers, and she raised her fist to knock once more.
Jane snared them with a hard stare when she opened the door a second time. “What are you doing here?”
Bailee didn’t bother with pleasantries. “We need to talk. It’s about Jimmy.”
“Of course it is,” she sneered. “Well, I have nothing to say to you, so leave before I call the police.”
“We can’t do that, Ms. Pearce,” Ben said, stepping forward to draw the woman’s attention away from Bailee. “Please. It’s important. We’ll only take ten minutes of your time.”
“And you are?” Jane demanded.
“Ben Weston. This is Easton Hargrove. We just want to ask you a couple of questions.”
“You’re a long way from Louisville and have no jurisdiction here.”
“They’re not cops, Jane. They’re helping me. I know you’d rather spontaneously combust than help me out, but it’s either answer my questions now or speak to my contacts with the ATF later. I’m sure your neighbors would love to see you escorted from your house by federal authorities.”
Jane’s face pinched like she detected a foul odor. “Fine. Ask your questions, but I’m not inviting you inside.”
Bailee rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Look, when’s the last time you saw or spoke with Jimmy?”
“He’s not a part of my life anymore. I’m to be married next month, and my fiancé does very well for himself. More than Jimmy ever did being a policeman.”
“We understand, Ms. Pearce, but that didn’t answer the question,” Easton reiterated. “When did you last see or speak with your ex?”
“It’s been almost two years, I suppose. I…well, if you must know, I met him for dinner. I hoped for a reconciliation. I forgave him for his transgressions, but for us to have a fresh start, I insisted he change partners. I wanted him to be partnered with one of the other detectives, a man.”
Jane leveled an evil glare at Bailee. “He refused. He was under the misguided notion that he could teach you to be a better detective. I knew it was only a matter of time before he fell under your spell and cheated on me again. So I walked away.”
“Just like that?” Easton questioned. “In my experience, it’s hard to walk away from someone you’ve had such strong feelings for. I mean for you to warn Bailee to stay away from him after you and he divorced seems…extreme for someone to give up so easily.”
“I’m guessing the restraining order made it easier for you to cut ties,” Ben added.
That piece of information had come in from Luke just that morning, and Bailee enjoyed seeing Jane pale at the reminder.
“You have to understand. Jimmy was the love of my life. He swept me off my feet, and in the beginning, we were very happy. My parents never liked him, but I wouldn’t listen to them. I knew he was a flirt, but I believed it was all a show. He loved me and would never hurt me. Until he did. I didn’t handle it well. It’s not easy seeing the fairytale life you’ve imagined for yourself dissolve in front of your eyes. I’m not proud of how I handled things. But that’s in the past. I don’t understand why you’re dredging it up now.”
Bailee blinked, surprised to see the vulnerability in Jane’s eyes. She found herself believing the woman’s explanation, though she still had a tough question to ask to satisfy the reason for their trip to Illinois.
“Someone is after me, and I believe it’s because of the case against Jimmy.”
“What do you mean someone is after you? You don’t think I’m involved in anything like that, do you?” Jane’s incredulous gaze darted between Bailee and the boys.
Bailee steeled herself, deciding to lay all her cards on the table. “Yeah, I think it’s possible. The guy after me is a professional, and your family has the resources to know and hire someone like that.”
Jane tossed her head back and laughed. After rolling her eyes at Bailee, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Now, who’s the one delusional? The way I see it, Jimmy got exactly what he deserved for what he did to me. I find it poetic justice that his association with you landed him in jail. As far as coming after you, why would I waste the money? You aren’t important enough to waste the time or the resources. So you and yourbodyguards can get off my propertynow,and do not come back.”
She slammed the door in their faces again. Bailee stared at it even after Ben and Easton turned to head back to the SUV. Stepping up to the frame, she leaned close to make sure her voice carried through the wood.
“Just so you know, Jane, I never slept with Jimmy. We were only partners. I trusted him, too, and he betrayed me. Not in the same way, but the betrayal is real. I’m glad you’ve put the past behind you. I hope I can do the same eventually. I wish you and your fiancé a good life.”
She turned and met Easton and Ben on the walkway leading to the house. Easton draped an arm over her shoulder, and she was grateful for the comfort it offered. Once they were back in the SUV and driving away, Easton turned around to study her.
“What are you thinking?”
