Beverly Barton - Grace Under Fire

"Maybe."

Hudson felt awful, felt like the lowest pond scum. How had he sunk so low? He loved Grace, didn't he? How could he betray her this way? How could he offer her head on a silver platter to Booth Fortier? "Is that it? Is that why you called me?"

"That was one thing… but there's something else."

"What?" Hudson dreaded to even consider Ollie's response.

"Is Grace Beaumont still at the hospital?"

"She was a few minutes ago."

"If she's still there, then give her this information now. If she's gone home, pay her a visit this evening and inform her that the man she trusts so implicitly, her big, tough bodyguard, Jed Tyree, is none other than Booth Fortier's nephew."

"The hell you say! Tyree is Fortier's nephew?"

"That's right. Booth told me so himself."

"I don't understand any of this. You said you thought Tyree's name sounded familiar, but you didn't know who he was. Now you tell me-"

"Tyree left the organization seventeen years ago. I didn't go to work for Booth until several years later and he never mentioned his nephew."

"Why tell Grace? If Tyree is working for-"

"He's not Fortier's ally. Jed Tyree is his uncle's enemy and he poses a problem for Booth, being Ms. Beaumont's protector. Once she learns who he is, she'll dismiss him, maybe even dismiss the whole Dundee force. But at the very least, she'll distrust him completely."

"And you want me to be the one to deliver the bad news? Well, tell me this-how is it that I'm supposed to have come by this revealing information? I'm sure you don't want me to tell Grace that it came straight from Booth Fortier, do you?"

Ollie chuckled. "Tell her you got an anonymous phone call. That will explain this call and give her an explanation as to how you found out about Tyree."

"Once she fires Tyree, what if I can persuade her to forget about the investigation? Would Fortier allow her to live?"

"You really are hung up on the bitch, aren't you?" Ollie sighed dramatically. "Hasn't anybody ever told you that they're all alike in the dark? Start looking for another woman. Grace Beaumont is history."

As the massive wrought-iron gates to Belle Foret opened for them and the Rolls entered the long driveway, Jed's cell phone rang. Grace glanced up at him, but didn't lift her head from his shoulder.

He grabbed the phone, hit the On button and said, "Tyree here."

"Listen very carefully," Dante Moran told him. "We need you to get a message to Jim Kelly and since you have a good excuse to go see your uncle tonight, we figure this is the right time."

"What excuse would that be?" Jed felt J.J. and Grace watching him.

"An attempt was made on Grace Beaumont's life. A Dundee agent was seriously wounded. You should be outraged," Moran said. "You should want to tell your uncle that it's war between the two of you, that you'll kill him if he comes near Ms. Beaumont again."

"That excuse would work if I was a hotheaded idiot." Jed paused, considering the possibilities. "Oh, I see. The hotheaded idiot is the part you want me to play."

"You got it. And while you're visiting your uncle, find a way to let Jim know he should be ready in seventy-two hours. It's all coming together and he needs to be prepared. We don't want Booth Fortier slipping through our fingers at the last minute."

"I understand."

"Contact me if anything goes wrong. Otherwise I'll know the stage is set on that end."

Jed hit the Off button, then looked from Grace to J.J. "I'm going to pay Booth Fortier another visit. Tonight."

Grace gasped. "No. Why would you-"

"J.J. will stay with you," he said. J.J. nodded. "And Rafe should be on in a little while."

"I'm not worried about me." Grace lifted her head from his shoulder, her gaze focusing tenderly on his face. "I'm concerned what may happen to you if you go see that despicable man again."

Jed cupped her face in the cradle between his thumb and forefinger. "This is all going to be over soon. And you'll be safe. I promise."

"Will you be safe?"

"Don't worry about me, Blondie. I always land on my feet."

Instead of the romantic dinner that Grace had planned, she shared sandwiches in the kitchen with J.J. Blair. She liked the other female Dundee agent, whose effervescent personality was a contrast to Kate Malone's gentle, demure manner. J.J. moved quickly, talked fast, exuded an aura of frantic energy. Petite and vivacious, she looked nothing like a person's idea of a bodyguard. But in their dinner conversation, Grace had learned that this little ball of fire was not only a weapons expert, but she had mastered several martial arts. How deceptive that pretty face, that Elizabeth Taylor black hair and violet eyes were, Grace thought.

To pass the time, they decided to settle into the den and watch a documentary about ancient Egypt on the Discovery Channel. Rafe had phoned to tell J.J. he'd be arriving in about an hour, that he'd gone out and gotten supper for Dom and him. Both Grace and J.J. were concerned about Kate, although Rafe had said that the nurses had allowed them to go into the SIC unit to see Kate at seven and she was resting peacefully. And they were both worried about Jed. J.J. as his friend and Dundee comrade. Grace as his lover.

A soft rap on the door gained Grace's attention. "Yes?"

Laverna eased open the door. "Mr. Prentice is here to see you, Miss Grace. Shall I have him wait in the parlor or would you like for him to come to the den?"

"Ask him to come back here, please."

"Very well."

Grace turned to J.J. "I can't imagine what brings Hudson out here tonight." She wondered if he'd been upset because she'd left the hospital without saying goodbye. "I've never seen him in the condition he was in right after Kate was shot. But then, we were all half out of our minds."

"Seeing someone shot like that isn't easy for anyone," J.J. said. "But it had to have been more difficult for you, since you knew you were the intended victim."

"Kate saved my life. How do you ever repay someone for that?"

"It's our job," J.J. said. "Although it isn't that often we actually get wounded in the line of duty, we're always aware that it's a possibility."

Hudson cleared his throat as he stopped in the doorway. "Excuse me. Grace, may I see you alone, please."

"Sorry, but that won't be possible." J.J. rose to her feet and glared at Hudson. "Whatever you have to say to Ms. Beaumont, you'll have to say with me present."

"Grace, really… is it necessary for her to be here?" Hudson tilted his nose haughtily.

Grace glanced at J.J., then smiled at Hudson. "Please, come in and have a seat. And don't mind J.J. Just pretend she isn't here. I'm afraid Jed left specific instructions for me not to be alone until he returns." Well, that wasn't exactly true, but Grace understood that J.J. had no intention of leaving, so to avoid a ruckus, a little white lie was in order.

"Very well, but… I have something to tell you. Something you're not going to like."

Grace watched the peculiar expressions on Hudson 's face, changing from indignation to excitement to concern. She had the oddest feeling that the concern was fake. "Mercy, you're being awfully mysterious. Whatever is it?"

"I received an anonymous phone call… at the hospital. If you'll recall, I went to the men's room to take the call."

"And…" Grace prompted.

"And what I was told is terribly upsetting. I hate to be the one to tell you, but you have every right to know. You should have been informed before you took Jed Tyree into your home and put your trust in him."

J.J. tensed as she scrutinized Hudson, her narrowed gaze and rigid stance a warning.

"Be specific," Grace said. "What are you talking about?"

"Jed Tyree!" Hudson 's cheeks flushed bright pink.