Behind the Lies (A Montgomery Justice Novel) by Robin Perini Read Free Book Online Page B

you for answering,” the man rushed, rubbing his hands over his face. “Our backyards connect.”
    He was nervous. Really nervous. And relieved.
    Or a really great actor.
    Zach studied his so-called neighbor. Zach rarely socialized. A few parties to keep up the appearance of his actor identity, and not much else. The guy really was forgettable until you lookedat his suit. The cut reeked of money. It would have to, living in this neighborhood.
    But there was more than worry in the guy’s eyes. Intelligence, awareness, and something a bit cold. Before Zach could even process the dichotomy, Brad flashed up a picture of a woman and child.
    Zach’s heart tripped like a faulty detonator. The woman’s dark hair was pulled back into a chignon, elegant and just asking to be mussed. Her emerald eyes peered out from the photo, a smile teasing their depths. She looked happy. Achingly beautiful and happy.
    A hint of mischief bubbled from the expression on the boy at her side. He looked to be a bit older than Zach’s precocious niece, Joy. Maybe four or five.
    The man’s expression narrowed. “You know them.”
    Zach examined the photo again. He couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to look away. “Your wife looks familiar, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    “But you
have
seen her. Today? When?”
    Something wasn’t right here. A flash of caution ignited in Zach’s gut. First off, he didn’t like the coincidence. A neighbor showing up right after he arrived home. Second, he didn’t like the slight hitch of the man’s jacket on the right side.
    A holstered gun could do that.
    If nothing else, Zach trusted his instincts. They’d kept him alive for the last five years. The one time he ignored them…well he’d have to find another way to get Pendar and his family to safety. If they were still alive.
    For now, he wanted Brad Walters away from his house.
    Zach cleared his throat. “I just returned from a trip. I haven’t seen anyone today except the cabby.”
    Brad’s eyes flashed from worry to irritation. “We live behind your house. Do you mind if I check your backyard?”
    The request tightened the knots already tensing Zach’s shoulders. With a quick shift of his body to keep Brad at a disadvantage, Zach tilted his head, analyzing his neighbor’s expression closely. “You think your wife and son climbed into my yard? It’s a fifteen-foot wall embedded with glass at the top. It keeps the paparazzi out.”
    Brad looked away. When he turned back and met Zach’s gaze, the irritation had vanished, his eyes now dark with concern.
    Yeah…an actor. This guy was playing a part. The question was why.
    He shuffled. “My wife is a bit…high-strung. She had a rough childhood. I don’t want my son hurt.”
    In short, my wife is crazy and has taken my son. The woman in the photo didn’t look insane, but then again, Zach had seen some expert actresses over the years, and not all in the movie industry.
    Something didn’t quite jibe with this guy, but Zach couldn’t come up with any factual reason to refuse a look in the backyard. To complicate matters, if the guy was telling the truth, Zach didn’t need the cops at his door questioning him. He
had
to stay off the radar.
    Weighing the alternatives, Zach tightened his grip on his 1911 and moved aside. “Of course.” He led Brad through the house, studying his every move. One misplaced step and the guy would be on the floor with a .45 caliber at his head, except he didn’t make one false move…which in itself increased Zach’s suspicions. Brad was sure-footed, confident. He scanned the layout of the house but didn’t attempt to touch anything.
    He didn’t plant bugs, or listening devices, or explosives. Could the guy just be worried about this wife?
    Either way, Zach wanted him out. Fast.
    His entire body at the ready, he cursed the situation. If he hadn’t been forced to come back for the truck, he’d never have returned home, never would have had to deal with