Missing in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law #5)(40)

“There goes the neighborhood,” she muttered.

Ross strode over to the bed. “You and I are going to talk.”

“I can’t wait.”

“How did you get to the pond?”

“I drove.”

He raised an eyebrow. “The truth—how refreshing. We found your truck. If your business was as legitimate as you claim, why did you camouflage your vehicle?”

“Because I don’t want anyone to steal it.”

“And vehicle theft on barely used swamp roads is a big concern in Mudbug?”

“It concerns me.”

“I don’t believe that for one minute. What I believe is that you and your accomplice were trying to spy on my investigation.”

“I’m a botanist. I don’t spy. I study.”

“Studying my crime scene is considered interfering with a federal investigation.”

“I didn’t see any posted signs…no police tape. You expect me to stay off of my own property?”

“I expect you to stay away from me. I know exactly who you are, and I know Raissa is a friend of yours. I also know you like to meddle in police business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t like to meddle at all, and if you guys did your job, I wouldn’t have to be so pushy.”

Ross’s face reddened and beads of sweat began to form on his brow. He lifted a hand and rubbed his forehead.

“Headache?” she asked. “Maybe you hurt your head when you fell and discharged your weapon without cause.”

“I did not fall! Something hit me.”

“Really? What was it?”

“I didn’t see it.”

Maryse raised her eyebrows. “The marsh grass was only a couple feet high. I don’t know of any living creature that could take a grown man down and leave no sign of passage. Maybe you should think about hitting the gym. Age can catch up with you.”

Ross’s nostrils flared out as he sucked in air. “What I need is for you and your meddling friends to stay out of my business, and if you don’t, I’m going to make things very difficult for all of you.”

“Is that a threat?” Luc stepped into the room and gave Ross a look so stern it had him stepping back from the bed.

Maryse jumped off the bed and threw her arms around her husband. “Thank God you’re here. They bruised my arm, took my cell phone, tortured me for hours with CNN, and refused to feed me. Then this idiot tried to poison me.” She released Luc and pointed to Stepford.

“That’s a lie,” the agent said as he jumped up from his chair. “I brought you perfectly good food from the hospital cafeteria.”

“You brought me tuna salad. I told you I was allergic to mayonnaise.”

“You lying bi—”

Luc took a step toward him. “If you want to continue breathing, you’re not going to finish that sentence.”

Stepford’s mouth slammed shut and he took a step back.

“Is my wife under arrest?” he asked Ross.

“Not at this moment. I have more important things to worry about. But if my boat isn’t returned by tomorrow morning, I’m going to charge her as an accessory to its theft.”

Maryse whirled around to face Ross. “I didn’t—”

Luc put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Not now.”

It took some restraint, but Maryse managed to keep quiet.

“Then we’ll be going,” Luc said. “But get one thing straight—if you ever touch my wife again, even to shake her hand, or detain her without notifying me, FBI or no, I’ll pin your balls together with your badge. Are we clear?”

Ross’s eyes widened a bit but apparently, he took Luc at his word.

“Let’s go,” Luc said and tugged her shirtsleeve.

“I can explain,” Maryse said as they left the hospital.

Luc shook his head and didn’t say a word—not while they walked to his truck or on the entire drive back to their home. Maryse had never seen her husband so angry and knew that although he’d been furious with Ross for the way he handled the situation, the largest part of his anger was with her. And no matter her good intentions, no way was he going to find merit in spying on the FBI with Helena in tow.

Seven hours and a mere bag of potato chips later, she had to admit she couldn’t find any merit either.

After he pulled to a stop in their driveway, he exited the truck and went into the house without so much as a backward glance. Maryse climbed out of the truck and slowly made her way inside, certain the volcano would erupt once the front door was closed.

As she stepped inside and stood in the living room, Luc stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator. Oh yeah, he was definitely mad. But more importantly, he looked scared, and if anger was a scarce thing with Luc, fear was practically extinct.

Guilt washed through her in waves.

Why had she been so stubborn? Luc had never asked her to do anything without a reason. Why hadn’t she trusted that the man who loved her more than anything had a valid reason for asking her to stay out of the swamp?

He stared out the kitchen window for what seemed like forever. The sound of the kitchen clock ticking was the only thing that broke the silence. Finally, he turned around to face her.