Cobb by Maryann Jordan

4

By lunchtime, Cobb had pored over the information Josh had sent him on Josie. The more he read the more antsy he felt, discovering that his conceptions about her didn’t seem to add up to the reality presented. Deciding to take a break, he gave in to the urge to pound the trails around his house to clear his head. Saying goodbye to the Keepers that were still in the compound, he headed home.

He pulled into his driveway thirty minutes later, embarrassed to acknowledge he’d made the whole trip on automatic pilot, barely remembering anything. He slammed his SUV door shut and stalked inside. Changing clothes, he headed out the back door to the deck and down to the lush green grass, starting his run toward the beach that was at the back of his property. When he’d moved to Maine to accept a position with Mace, he searched for properties. Like many of the other Keepers, he preferred to be near the water and liked his privacy.

When the real estate agent said she had a cottage for him that included five acres of woods, he laughed when he met her at the property. The cottage was a large red and white house built on a slight hill surrounded by woods with a back deck that led to the rocky coastline below. A dock was built over the water, giving him easy access to his canoe, kayak, and small motorboat.

His feet pounded the dirt as he dragged oxygen into his lungs, hoping to clear his mind. But he should have known—the only thing on his mind was Josie. The pictures he’d perused confirmed she was as beautiful as he remembered although rarely in a gown at a gala. Her social media was limited, but there were photographs of her wearing basic slacks and blouses while standing in front of a small brick building that housed her clinic or at charity meetings. Her smile was easy, and he could see her comfort when standing with some of the elderly persons at the clinic. Her pale blue eyes always shone in the photographs, and he remembered what it felt like to be on the receiving end of her smile.

Turning away from the water, he weaved through the trees on the path he’d created. By the time he’d circled to the other side of the house, he ran down his pier and dove into the water, swimming around the bay that was at the mouth of the ocean.

The cold water brought all his senses back into line, years of SEAL training returning as he focused on the current. By the time he climbed up the ladder to the pier, his body felt refreshed even if his mind was still muddled.

“Did it help?”

Looking up, he grinned at the sight of Clay, Tate, and Levi standing on the pier. With water sluicing into a puddle on the wooden planks, he shook his head. “Not as much as I would have liked.” Walking past them, he said, “Come on up to the house. Cold beer is in the fridge.”

While his friends made themselves at home, he took a quick shower and changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt. Running his fingers through his hair, he joined them after grabbing his beer. The outside of his house had a traditional New England appearance, but the inside was anything but. The kitchen, dining room, and living room were open, one space flowing into the other, with two-story vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows that overlooked the water. While there was nothing southwest about his house, a great deal of exposed wooden beams, hardwood floors, and a stone fireplace gave it even more appeal.

The four men spread out on the comfortable sofas overlooking the water, drinking their beer quietly for a moment. He wondered when one of them was going to break the silence… his money was on Clay. He wasn’t wrong.

“So, are you going to tell us why your eyes nearly bugged out of your head when you saw the picture of Josephine Rector?”

With his head leaned back against the comfortable cushions of his reclining sofa, he only had to roll his head to the side to peer at his friend. “Guess my poker playing days are over if I wasn’t able to hide that reaction.”

Tate snorted. “Hell, man, you couldn’t have given away more if you jumped up and screamed, ‘Holy fuck, I know her.’”

Levi had been quietly observing him. “To be honest, I was surprised you didn’t recognize her name with both your parents being in politics from the same state.”

He shook his head and took another swig of beer. “My grandfather was governor years ago, but with my dad working in embassies during his younger years, we were all over the place. I spent time in elementary and middle school in Greece, Spain, and Italy. By the beginning of high school, my dad was a U.S. Senator, and we were in D.C. Now, he’s Governor, but I’m no longer around.”

Levi nodded. “Makes sense.”

“Yeah, but what doesn’t make sense was your reaction,” Clay prodded.

“Jesus, don’t your women gossip enough? Didn’t know that had been passed on to you,” he quipped, knowing they wouldn’t let up until they got what they wanted.

“Fuck, Cobb. We gotta know your head is screwed on straight before you head off on a mission.”

He speared Tate with a glare, a stinging retort barely held back from flying out of his lips. Blowing out a deep breath, he sighed. “My head is screwed on straight. I met Josie once when I was back there the last time. It was at my dad’s birthday charity gala. It was boring as shit as they always are—until I saw her. I didn’t tell her who I was. She thought I was a bodyguard because I wasn’t socializing, and I didn’t correct her assumption. We had a dance. Chatted a bit. End of story. I only knew her name was Josie and had no idea she was related to Senator Rector. Hell, I’d just met him for the first time that night.”

“You say end of story?” Clay held his gaze, a question in his eyes.

“If you’re asking if there was more, no.” The other men relaxed before he continued. “But I tried.”

Clay’s eyes widened. “Shit.”

“Nothing happened. She shot me down.” Seeing the continued wide-eyed stares, he groused, “I just asked if she wanted to go for a drink and intimated that more could be on the table. She said I wasn’t her type.”

Tate sputtered from the sip he’d just taken, breaking the moment with his coughing. Finally gaining control, he stared. “Not her type. Did she say what her type was?”

“Truthfully? I figured she meant my heritage or that she assumed I was just a hired bodyguard who was there working. Neither supposition sat very well with me, so I said good night and left. Since then, I’ve thought it over and felt like I owed her an apology. I left abruptly, so it did make me look like an ass.”

“What about now? Do you feel like you can work with her?” Levi asked.

“I can’t imagine that you were happy with every FBI assignment or mission you were given, but you did your best. Same with me. I have no problem working with her but realize she may not be overly keen to work with me. Her father’s the one hiring us, and I want to make sure she’s safe.”

Cutting straight to the mission, Clay asked, “Have you learned anything?”

He finished his beer and leaned forward, placing it on the coffee table. Staring out the window for a moment at the peaceful scene of green trees and blue water, he sighed. “She’s an enigma, that’s for sure. Public school upbringing, then she left New Mexico to attend university in Boston. Four years later, she attended graduate school in New Mexico. Social worker. Works in a clinic in Las Cruces and makes a very modest salary. Seems to live off her own money, but then…”

The others looked at him when he paused, and he hated the blush that he knew was coloring his tanned face.

“So, she’s not a rich daddy’s little girl?” Clay prodded again, already grinning. “And that’s exactly what you expected when you met her at your dad’s big-ass event.”

“Fuck you.” He slumped deeper into the sofa cushions, hating but knowing Clay was right. “Yeah. Her clinic was one of the ones being supported by my dad’s charity event. I checked into her dad. He was an attorney before running for state senator. Not wealthy, but not hurting.”

“So, how are you going to handle it?”

“First up… I’ll talk to her dad. Then, when I meet her, I’ll apologize. Let her know what I need to do to keep her safe while we try to find out who’s sending the threats. She’s a smart woman. She’ll be fine with it.”

The others finished their drinks, and with good lucks called out as they left, he headed into his bedroom to pack. Sylvie had his travel arrangements completed, and he’d leave on a flight to New Mexico the next morning.

That night, sitting in bed with his tablet open, he continued to study everything he could about Josie Rector. But it was her photograph that kept drawing his attention. Red-blonde hair. Light blue eyes. He remembered the flash in those eyes when he curtly ended the evening after she turned down his invitation to get drinks. Oh, yeah… I need to apologize.

* * *

Cobb stared out the window as the plane began its descent into the Albuquerque airport. The scene was familiar, having flown in and out over the years. The land was flat, with mountains in the background. Dry and arid, it resembled a dustbowl from the air until they neared the city. Upon arrival, Cobb took possession of a large SUV that Sylvie had reserved for him. A big man, he enjoyed the legroom while driving and liked the protection the vehicle afforded.

For his first stop, he headed downtown and parked near the capitol. Senator Rector’s office was in a building nearby, and he found it easily. Walking into the reception area, he noted two desks, one closer to the door and one just outside the senator’s office. Stepping to the closest desk, he smiled at the young woman who stared up at him, her eyes wide. He stepped back slightly, knowing his size could be intimidating.

“Jorge Cobb from LSI to see Senator Rector, please.”

The woman blinked, and her silence was interrupted by another woman’s voice.

“Carla!”

Turning, Cobb’s lips twitched at the reproving gaze the older woman sitting at the next desk was throwing toward the younger woman. She looked up at him and said smoothly, “Mr. Cobb, you are expected. Welcome back to New Mexico, sir.”

He didn’t bother asking how she knew he’d been there before. The last name Cobb was not common in New Mexico, and yet with his grandfather and father’s political careers tied intrinsically to the state, he had no doubt she knew exactly who he was. Inclining his head, he returned her greeting. “Thank you. It’s nice to be back.”

With a final searing gaze toward the young woman who was now blushing furiously, the older woman ushered Cobb down a short hall with several doors opening from it. One appeared to be a large workroom where a group of people at small desks busily typed at their computers or were on their telephones. Another door opened to an empty conference room. Turning onto another hall there were two offices on opposite sides, both doors open, exposing small spaces with only one desk each. Finally, he was ushered into the senator’s comfortable office. Not opulent by any stretch of the imagination, it was well appointed with thick carpet underneath his feet, a wall of bookcases, and a wooden desk with the requisite wood and leather chairs in front.

Senator Rector jumped up from behind his desk and rushed around, his hand outstretched. “Mr. Cobb, I cannot tell you how glad I am that you’re here. As soon as the threats started coming in, I immediately remembered that your father said you worked in security. I had no idea if this was something you could help with, but I gave him a call.”

“Yes, sir. To my friends and ever since the military, I just go by Cobb, but if that’s confusing, then you may certainly call me Jorge. Mr. Cobb always makes me think of my father and grandfather.”

The senator laughed and nodded. “Please, you may call me John.”

He moved to sit behind his desk, and Cobb settled into one of the chairs directly in front. The leather and wood gave the familiar squeak as he sat down, and he was reminded of the old furniture in his grandfather’s office.

“I read everything that you forwarded to my boss, and we’ve already started the investigation. I want to make sure that I understand exactly what your expectations are. I’m prepared to serve as both the protection detail for your daughter as well as offer on-site investigation. My coworkers back at the LSI office will also be investigating.”

John nodded, his head jerking up and down rapidly. “Yes, yes to all the above. Josie hates the idea of needing protection, but I know the threats rattled her. She does such good work but is now concerned since the bookkeeper, Caesar Castiel, has disappeared. While Las Cruces does not have the most crime in New Mexico, its rates are higher than the national average. The population can be worrisome.”

“What specific population are you referring to? Her actual clients or those close to where the clinic is located?”

“She works with many people, but specifically the elderly. They are harmless enough, but the area she is in is rather… um… rough.”

“I understand. And besides the missing bookkeeper, she made specific calls to determine the sources of some of the money coming in. If the threats are tied into the calls she made, then I’m not sure her clients are relevant to the threats, but perhaps the area she works in has people who would be willing to commit threatening acts for easy money.”

John continued to nod. “Yes, this is what I fear. As far as the financial reports, I contacted my accountant. He recommended a forensic accountant that’s here in Albuquerque, but I haven’t given them her books to work on yet. I wanted a chance to see what your father recommended and what your boss wanted to do. The situation is all out of my element, and I’m willing to turn it over to those who know best. My main concern is my daughter’s safety.”

“I appreciate that, John. I’m going to drive to Las Cruces to meet with her. Does she know to expect me?”

“I told her that I had contacted Governor Cobb because his son worked for an investigative company and that someone would be in contact with her. She’s nervous but doesn’t want everyone to know what’s going on. She’s afraid the clinic will suffer and cares greatly about the clients.” He cleared his throat, his gaze dropping for a moment before he looked back at Cobb. “She didn’t know what to tell the other clinic employees because she was trying to keep everything low profile. I… well, I suggested that she pretend she’s dating whoever the investigative company sent, just to give her an easy excuse as to why you’d be around so much. She doesn’t socialize much, so I figured no one would be the wiser.”

Cobb rubbed his chin, his thoughts swirling at the knowledge that she wasn’t going to know he was the person coming and yet they were supposed to be dating. Unable to come up with an alternate scenario, he sighed. “I’ll go ahead and warn you, sir, that my protection detail will include scoping out her work and residence. I’ll install security cameras and take precautions that she may find intrusive.”

John waved his hand dismissively. “Jorge, do whatever you need to do to keep her safe. She might find them intrusive, but she’s a smart woman. She’ll see reason.”

Standing, he reached over and shook John’s hand and said, “I’ll let you know what we find out.”

A knock on the door sounded, and Cobb looked over his shoulder as a man and woman entered. Both appeared to be in their early thirties. The man had ditched his suit jacket and had his shirt sleeves rolled up. The barest edge of a tattoo peeked from underneath his sleeve. His features hinted at Native American, and his dark eyes shot between the senator and Cobb. The woman’s black hair was pulled back into a tight bun, but her deep red lipstick emphasized the wide smile that did nothing to soften her severe appearance.

“Oh, Carmen. Tahoma. Come in, come in.”

Standing, Cobb turned to the newcomers.

“These are my two senatorial aides, Carmen Martinez and Tahoma Starr. They are my right-hand assistants and work tirelessly for me, my office, and the state of New Mexico.”

Cobb shook their hands, noting Tahoma’s intense scrutiny behind his smile. Carmen held his hand a few seconds longer than necessary, her smile hiding a calculating assessment in her eyes. Cobb wondered if the senator had confided Josie’s concerns to them even though Mace would have advised against it. As far as Cobb was concerned, no one was above suspicion, but his expression remained neutral.

“I’m so sorry to intrude,” Carmen said, her voice smooth. “But we heard that Governor Cobb’s son was here. I know you had business with the governor and didn’t know if you needed us.”

“Well, in fact—” John began.

“Just a social call.” Cobb easily interrupted what he felt sure was going to be John’s admission of his daughter’s difficulties. “I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Rector at my father’s birthday event a few months ago, and since I was visiting my parents, I thought I’d take the opportunity to say hello.”

Carmen’s red lips curved even more. “I do hope you’ll consider meeting us for drinks while you’re here in Albuquerque.”

“I’m afraid I’m leaving right after this.”

Her lips stayed curved into a smile, but the rest of her face was hard as she inclined her head. “Maybe another time.” Turning to the senator, she said, “I’ll be leaving for lunch soon, sir, and then have an appointment this afternoon. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a last long glance toward Cobb, she walked out of the office, followed by Tahoma, whose tight jaw and narrowed eyes were noted by Cobb.

Mentally adding the two aides to his list of people to investigate, he shook hands again with the senator, who leaned close and whispered, “I realize you didn’t want me to say anything to my aides.”

“I think the fewer people who know what’s going on is best. It makes it easier for an investigation to not be hampered by anyone, regardless of who you trust.”

John held his gaze for a long moment, thoughts working behind his eyes before he finally nodded slowly. “I understand. I won’t call Josie and tell her you’re coming. I now realize that I need to step back and let you handle it, even though that goes against my instincts as her father.”

“You’re doing the right thing, sir. I’ll be in touch,” Cobb repeated from before their interruption. He walked out, nodded to the two receptionists, and climbed into his SUV. Turning onto the highway leading to Las Cruces, he had a feeling that while Josie Rector was smart, she was not going to like seeing him again.