Turning away from the sheriff, she turned to Alicia. “There are ten properties in particular. Is there any way we can get them returned to their rightful owners? I did have a quick look through the office files, and all the signed documents are here."
"Absolutely,” Alicia reassured her. “If the transactions are proven illegal, then it will revert to the previous owners. But the process will be much easier if you don't fight it."
"Good."
"Don't anybody contact anyone yet. Not until I have time to go through all of this.” Patrick dropped the sheaf of papers back on top of the desk. “I'll need to see all the paperwork concerning these transactions, and everything else you've got."
"If you want to see anything else in this house, you'll need a warrant.” Cyndi started to protest her lawyer's words, but Alicia forestalled her. “No, you need to protect yourself. You're innocent in all this, and I intend for it to stay that way."
"What the hell does that mean?” Patrick snapped.
"It means that you have your job, sheriff, and I have mine."
"Enough.” Shamus's voice wasn't loud, but it was hard. “Both of you stop it. Cyndi's been through enough without you two squabbling.” He dropped his hand on her shoulder and Cyndi shuddered as the heat from his palm coursed through her. She was so very cold. “What do you want to do?” He hunkered down beside her as he spoke.
She glanced from Patrick to Alicia. “Patrick can go through the files with you here, can't he? We can make copies of anything he needs to take. He can sign some sort of receipt or something for whatever he removes from the house, so we all have a record."
Alicia leaned her hip on the desk, facing Cyndi. “If that's what you want. But as your lawyer, I'm advising you to protect yourself."
Cyndi shook her head. “I want this over with. And if Shamus says his brother is trustworthy, that's good enough for me."
Alicia sighed. “I don't like it, but if that's what you want."
"It's what I need.” Slowly, she pushed out of the chair. Shamus stood beside her and she resisted the urge to lean on him. “I'm going to make some coffee. This might take a while."
She could feel all eyes on her as she left the room. Her head was pounding and her stomach was roiling. It was going to be a long evening.
Shamus rounded on his brother as soon as Cyndi left the room. “You might not like Cyndi personally, but you'll damn well treat her with some respect."
Patrick threw up his hand. “Look, I have every reason to be suspicious."
"No. You. Don't.” He said each word slowly as he advanced toward Patrick. “You knew a frightened, young woman who did what she had to in order to survive."
"Yeah, right,” he sneered. “Like being the richest girl in town was such a hardship. Poor little princess."
It took all his self-control not to plant his fist in his brother's face. “You have no idea what you're talking about."
"But you do?” he taunted.
Shamus couldn't, wouldn't betray Cyndi's confidence. But he was sick of everyone coming down so hard on her without any kind of understanding. “Yes, I do.” He hesitated briefly before forging ahead. “Let's just say that your wife and Cyndi have more in common than you might imagine."
Patrick tilted his head, looking totally perplexed. As if a light bulb suddenly went off in his brain, he slowly stiffened.
Shamus gave one nod, knowing his message had been understood. Patrick's wife Shannon had been abused by her ex-husband. Cyndi's father had abused her.
"Are you sure?” Patrick's voice was low and angry.
"Yes.” He could still see the faint scars on her back whenever he closed his eyes. “Not all her actions back then were of her own doing. Others were based on fear."
"I don't quite understand what the two of you are talking about, but I want you to stop right now.” Alicia stepped between them putting a manicured hand on each chest. “Cyndi doesn't need to be discussed like this when she's not in the room, and we have work to do."
Shamus knew that Alicia was right. “I'm going to see what's keeping Cyndi.” He left the two of them alone in the study, trusting Alicia and his brother to start working.
He strode down the hall to the kitchen to find Cyndi slumped against the counter. Not stopping, he went right up to her and dragged her into his arms. “Everything will be all right."
She gave a watery laugh as she buried her face in his chest. “You can't promise that. No one can."
She was right and he knew it, but that didn't mean he had to like it. “Okay.” He cupped her face and tilted her chin back until she was looking at him. The unshed tears made her eyes appear even larger than normal. “How about this? No matter what happens, I'll be beside you all the way."
"Oh, Shamus. I don't want to complicate your life any more than it already is. Your family is never going to change their minds about me."
"Don't be too sure about that.” He'd seen a different look in Patrick's eye just before he'd left the office. “Come on. Let's take some of that coffee back in there before they tear each other apart."
Cyndi looked appalled before giving a shaky laugh. “My money is on Alicia."
Shamus got down mugs, while Cyndi dug through the cupboard for a tray, a sugar bowl, and a milk jug. When everything was ready, she poured the coffee. Shamus picked up the tray. “After you."
Chapter Nineteen
Cyndi was enjoying a cup of herbal tea just after ten o'clock Monday morning when the doorbell rang. In spite of her fears to the contrary, she slept well last night. Shamus left before she'd awakened, but he left her a note. He had some errands to run and would be back later today.
Laying her cup aside, she made her way to the front door, sneakers squeaking lightly against the hardwood floor. It couldn't be Shamus. She'd given him his own key this weekend. A jolt of pleasure shot through her as she remembered just how he'd thanked her for it.
Cautiously, she peeked out the small side window next to the door. When she saw who was there, she groaned. She'd known this confrontation was inevitable if she wanted to put her past behind her, but she'd hoped for a little more time before having to face it. If only she'd ignored the bell. As if on cue, it chimed again.
Giving into the inevitable, she unlocked the door and pulled it open, coming face to face with her past—Burke Black.
Age hadn't diminished the sheer power of the man. His hair was graying at the temples, but other than that, he appeared as formidable as ever.
They stared at each other for a long time before he finally spoke. “May I come in?"
"I don't suppose you'll just go away if I say no?” Already knowing the answer, she held the door open. “We might as well get this over with."
It was strange, but with all she'd been through the past fourteen years and since she'd been back in Jamesville, she was no longer in awe of Burke. Maybe it was because she was no longer a frightened, young woman searching for a way out of a living nightmare.
"I'm having tea in the kitchen, but I can make some coffee if you want."
"I won't be here that long.” He followed her down the hallway and into the kitchen.
"Suit yourself.” Cyndi settled herself on one of the kitchen stools and picked up her cup of tea. “So talk."
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “You've certainly changed."
"It's been a long time. I'm sure we've both changed.” She was unsettled, but determined not to show it. “What can I do for you this morning?"
"I want you to stay away from Shamus."
Well, that was certainly blunt and to the point. She took a sip and carefully set her cup back on the granite countertop. “Shamus is man, not a boy. It's his decision who he sees or doesn't see."