Sweet Revenge

by Rebecca Zanetti

  “Maybe you’ve misread Matt the same way you initially misread Tasha,” Laney said. “I have good instincts with people, and I believe he didn’t kill anybody.”

  “You’re wrong.” The sheriff turned onto the quiet main street in town. “Agent Patterson’s partner is finally back in town, and supposedly the guy is a master interrogator. He’ll get Dean to tell the truth.”

  Dread filled Laney with icy tendrils. They had to get out of town before the commander attacked. “Thank you for trying to keep me safe, Todd.” She’d miss the small town and the kind sheriff.

  “Of course.” His shoulders tensed as he slowed down the car. “What in the world?”

  Laney twisted to see out the window. Tasha and the reporter stood near a car with the hood up and steam escaping from the engine.

  The sheriff stopped the car in the middle of the street and jumped out. “What in the hell are you doing back in town, Tasha? I told you to stay put at the cabin until we found whoever was sending you notes.”

  Tasha brushed her hair from her face. “Frant called me and asked for an interview. I needed to get more things from home, so I figured it’d be safe if I stayed in town.”

  Frant gestured toward the car. “Something’s wrong with the engine.”

  “What?” the sheriff asked, ambling toward the hood.

  “How the hell should I know?” Frant leaned to the side to look inside the patrol car. “Why is Laney Jacobs under arrest?”

  “She’s not,” the sheriff muttered.

  Frant leaned down to smile. “You look all captured back there.” An odd gleam lit his eye and reminded her of a wolf about to strike. “Sometimes fortune shines on the chosen few.”

  “I’m not giving you an interview,” she retorted. The guy looked too happy now that Matt had been arrested. “I’m surprised you’re not at the station.”

  “Why would I be at the station?” Frant asked. “Everything I want is right here.” He drew a gun from his waist and turned.

  Panic flushed through Laney, and she yelled to warn Todd, but it was too late. Frant fired, and the sheriff fell back against the car, his eyes wide with shock. Blood burst from his chest and coated the window.

  Tasha ducked forward and shoved Todd inside her vehicle before looking around. The street remained quiet.

  Blood. So much blood. Laney flashed back to her friend being cut, and her mind blanked. Shock coursed through her to freeze her limbs.

  Tasha yanked open the passenger door and pushed the books to the floor. “Let’s go.”

  Frant rushed around to jump into the driver’s seat.

  Laney shook her head and scrambled for the door handle, only to find smooth doors. God. She was locked in the backseat. Claustrophobia swamped her, the resulting fear springing the hair up on her arms.

  Panic trembled down her legs, and she fought the urge to kick the seat. She needed to keep a clear head. Panicking wouldn’t help. Even so, her breath panted out, and she couldn’t stop her seizing lungs. The window was still down but not enough for her to jump out.

  Frant put the car into drive and quickly flipped a U-turn. “You were right. That worked perfectly.”

  Tasha sniffed and glanced into the backseat. “Told you.”

  “What the hell?” Laney asked, glancing around for some sort of weapon. Shock narrowed the world into a tunnel.

  “Did you like my notes?” Frant asked, his eyes gleaming in the rearview mirror.

  Realization slapped Laney in the face. “Those were from you? How long have you been in town?”

  “I moved with my Tasha, although I do head to Seattle to work as a reporter. But I stay with Tash when I can.” He brushed Tasha’s cheek with his knuckles. “The couple who plays together, stays together, you know.”

  Laney’s mind spun, and she tried to focus. “I don’t understand. You’re his partner, Tasha?”

  Tasha glanced at Frant before turning back toward Laney. “I’ve been his partner for nearly eight years. We found we shared certain interests. We make each other happy.”

  Frant giggled and covered his mouth. “This has been awesome, sugar momma. Just awesome.”

  “My sweet boy.” Tasha smiled.

  “Eight years? What are you, about twenty?” Laney edged back into the seat as far as possible.

  “Twenty-two,” Frant almost sang. “I was fourteen when Tasha saved me. She was already twenty-five and knew so much.”

  “The silly boy was hiding from his damn drunk father and peeking into my window one night.” Tasha’s lips curved in a benevolent smile. “Frant was so lonely, and I saved him by inviting him inside.”

  Frant clapped his hands together. “For so much more than a show.” He settled one hand back on the steering wheel. “Tasha knows so much to teach… She’s taught others for years. Years and years.”

  “I’m not that old,” Tasha objected.

  “No, you’re perfect.” Frant’s eyes glowed with adoration.

  “Yes. Yes, I am.” Tasha settled back in her seat. “And I always wanted my own children to teach, but that didn’t work out. Endometriosis.” Fury and pain lanced along her words.

  Frant sighed. “I’m so sorry, my love. You deserved better.”

  “I really did.” Tasha sniffed. “But you fill the holes in my life, handsome.”

  Weird. Oddly sad how they’d helped each other by turning evil. But so damn weird. Wait a minute. “So you stalk women and kill them together?” How was this even possible? Fear filled Laney until her stomach rolled again.

  “Yes. It’s fun for us… to watch and hunt.” Tasha wiped spittle off her lips. “I don’t care about the rape, but it makes Frant happy, so I hold them down if he needs.”

  “Then I beat them until they stop breathing.” Arousal flared Frant’s nostrils.

  Bile rose in Laney’s throat. “Why women in sweet-sounding towns?”

  Tasha lifted a shoulder. “When we arrived here, we thought it was so funny the name was Charmed. The rest flowed from there. I mean, why not?”

  Laney shook her head to focus her thoughts. “You attacked me in the alley when Frant was with Matt in the bar.”

  “Yep.” Tasha clapped her hands together. “We figured Matt would be a good alibi for Frant, and I could just take you. But stupid Matt ran outside too soon.” She pouted her lips.

  “You tried, mama,” Frant patted her hand.

  Another realization hit Laney. “Why did you kill Greg?”

  Frant laughed. “Greg snapped a picture of me hunting you… a week before I was supposed to arrive here in town. That guy was trying to stalk you—he had tons of pictures of you. Once I found the picture, I took care of him.”

  “You did good with Greg. Real good,” Tasha said.

  “I know,” Frant said.

  God. Laney swallowed down bile. “What about the husband you fled?” she asked.

  “No husband.” Tasha chuckled. “That was a story for the sheriff, to get him protective in case I needed help.”

  Frant’s lips turned down. “I don’t like that you were his friend.”

  Tasha played with Frant’s ear. “He didn’t mean anything to me. You believe that.”

  “I hope the bullet killed him,” Frant muttered. “You’re mine. All mine.”

  “Of course I am.” Tasha turned calculating eyes toward Laney. “Though I’ll share you with her later. You’re going to enjoy her so much.”

  Frant nodded. “We do have special plans for you, Laney Jacobs. Your night will bring me and my love closer together. Each experience we share heightens our love.” He turned onto the main interstate. “You’re going to make us fly.”

  Matt’s shoulder blades itched. He’d been created with deadly instincts, which intense training had honed. His plan was going wrong, and fast. He allowed Agent Patterson to lead him through the station to an interrogation room, where he sat facing a long two-way mirror. Within seconds he could hear his brother’s heartbeat on the other side, along with those of two ot
her men. Both in good shape with regular heartbeats.

  Agent Patterson sat across from Matt. A television set with DVD player had been rolled into the room and left at the end of the scarred table.

  Matt leaned back. “I’m not talking to you until I have confirmation Laney has arrived safely at the station.” His gut ached as if something was wrong, and he’d learned decades ago to listen to his gut.

  The agent rolled his eyes. “My partner will be interviewing Laney in a moment. For now, why don’t you explain this video?” He leaned over and pushed buttons on a remote control.

  A morning scene of a parking lot swam into focus. Matt frowned and leaned closer. “Is that the parking lot of the coroner’s office?”

  “You should know,” the agent said.

  Matt cut a glance at the two-way mirror. What the hell was going on? Taking a deep breath, he watched the video show him arriving on his bike, placing a note under the windshield wiper of a blue compact, and then riding away. He shook his head. “The video was doctored.” Who would the manipulate video like that? His mind clicked facts into place as rapidly as possible.

  “That’s the story you’re going with?” Patterson asked, rewinding the video to pause on a close-up of Matt’s face.

  “Yes.” Matt rattled the cuffs on the table. “I didn’t leave a note for the coroner.”

  “Right. I have you leaving notes similar to those left for recent murder victims and now just need to tie you to each murder.” Patterson’s cell phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. “Cusack is here. Good. Let’s see how well you lie to him.”

  The door opened, and a man in a full black suit walked in.

  Everything in Matt went cold. He straightened his shoulders and lowered his chin as one of his biggest regrets moved to sit on the other side of the table. “Agent Cusack, is it?”

  “Well, it is today.” Emery flashed a quick smile, his brown eyes as blank as Matt knew his own to be. “I’m sorry I haven’t made your acquaintance yet, but I’ve been busy staying under the radar. You know, investigating, that is.”

  “Clever.” How long had Emery been pretending to be an FBI agent?

  A rustle sounded beyond the mirror, and Nate’s heartbeat spiked before slowing. Damn it. He’d been Tasered.

  Emery didn’t blink. But he didn’t have Matt’s superior hearing, now did he? As far as Matt knew, only the Gray brothers had ended up with special senses and abilities. Of course, they had hidden their abilities, so it was possible other soldiers did, too.

  Matt eyed the file folder sitting in front of Patterson. There was probably a paper clip in there he could use to disengage the handcuffs so he could get to his brother. “You two been partners long?”

  “No,” Emery said flatly, scooting the file folder in front of him to open. He tugged a paper clip off a stack of papers and twirled the silver around and around. “Why did you kill all of those women?”

  “You know I didn’t,” Matt said softly. Had they already gotten to Laney? If so, he’d kill Emery with his bare hands, like he should’ve done years ago. “What’s your plan here?”

  Emery unraveled the paper clip. “Plan? We’re just waiting for all the pieces to be in place before we take you out of here.”

  Patterson grinned. “How do you feel about a trip to DC?”

  “I’m thinking DC isn’t in the plan,” Matt said.

  Patterson snorted. “Right. Like you get to choose the plan.”

  Moron. The guy had no clue he was sitting next to a killer who’d end him as easily as talk to him. In fact, if Matt remembered correctly, Emery enjoyed killing. A lot. “Patterson, you’re an idiot.”

  Patterson flushed a bright red.

  Emery smiled. “Calling names, are we? You sound desperate, Mattie.”

  “You wish.” Matt allowed confidence to shine in his eyes. “You can’t beat me.” The unspoken words and you never could hung in the air between them.

  “Really?” Emery tore the paper clip apart and tossed it across the room to land in a corner. “We have Laney Jacobs in custody, and she’s going to give me everything.”

  Fire lanced down Matt’s spine. “Laney is honest and will tell you the truth. I was with her when Claire was killed, and although Laney and I have parted ways, she won’t change her story.”

  Emery leaned forward. “Oh, nice try. You and Laney haven’t parted anything.”

  Patterson frowned and glanced back and forth between the soldiers. “Have you two met?”

  “No,” Emery said. “But I’ve met plenty of killers like Mr. Dean, here. They’re all the same.”

  “Most killers are,” Matt agreed. “You should know.” The gloves were about to come off. While he didn’t want to harm Patterson, if it was necessary, he’d do it. Nate’s heartbeat hadn’t picked up any, which meant they’d used too much voltage, and Matt had to get to him. Fast.

  A commotion sounded outside the door, and a deputy poked his head in. He’d gone so pale the freckles on his nose stood out in a jumble. “Agent Patterson? May I speak with you?”

  Patterson swore softly and hurried from the room.

  Matt lifted his chin to study is greatest nemesis. “I should’ve killed you when I had the chance.”

  “True,” Emery said.

  “Why did you go back? We blew the place to hell, and you could’ve been free. You and your brothers.” Matt shook his head, truly not understanding. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “The commander is the closest thing we have to a father,” Emery spit out. “How could you betray him? You destroyed so much of his life’s work.”

  “He isn’t our father.” Matt tuned in to the commotion outside. “My brothers are more important than anything else, as yours should be.”

  Emery reached for a phone in his back pocket to read the face. “Your brothers are going to die in less than six weeks. Mine will live.” He glanced up, a twisted smile lifting his upper lip. “I win.”

  “Bullshit. You stay with that sadistic bastard, you’ll never win.” Matt slid his feet apart to strike for Emery’s knees. “What are you waiting for, anyway?”

  “Our forces are moving in.” Emery slipped the phone back into place. “We have you and Nate, and I’d hoped Shane would pop in to save you both. Since that’s not happening, we’re surrounding the town before taking you.” He leaned forward. “I know you’ve amassed an army.”

  No, he hadn’t. Sure, they’d created a security company that worked all over the world, but the brothers had remained anonymous. More people meant more chances at being found. “My army will take out yours.”

  “I don’t think so.” Emery’s face lost all expression again.

  Matt glanced toward the door as it opened. “What the hell is going on?”

  Patterson stomped inside, his strides angry. “Who is working with you, Dean?”

  Matt frowned. “Nobody. Why?”

  Patterson’s hand trembled as he grabbed the file off the table. “The sheriff was shot and is in surgery at the local hospital.”

  The room silenced into sharp focus. “What about Laney?”

  Patterson shook his head, anger darkening his eyes. “She’s gone.”

  Emery smiled. “Now, that’s a surprise.”

  Chapter 26

  Rain slashed into her face. Thunder rolled above, and the wind whipped leaves and debris into her legs. Laney struggled against Frant as he propelled her down the rough path and toward a darkened cabin.

  Now was her chance. Taking a deep breath, she pivoted and jammed her knee into his groin.

  The squeal he made sounded like a pig being hit by a truck. She pushed hard against his chest and turned to run.

  A branch hit her squarely in the cheek, and she dropped to one knee.

  Tasha dropped the branch and yanked Laney up by her hair. “Nice try, bitch.”

  Frant, still doubled over, grabbed Laney’s arm and shoved her into the cabin door. Pain radiated through her shoulder. Tasha opened the door, and Lane
y stumbled onto the floor.

  The lights flipped on.

  Reality pricked her with sharp needles as she focused on the man lounging on a battered chair. “Dr. Peters, it’s good to see you again,” the commander said smoothly as he rose to his feet.

  God. Laney scrambled to her feet and tried to balance on wobbly legs. The man hadn’t changed a bit in five years. Tall, rip-cord fit, he moved with the grace of a striking snake. His buzz-cut silver hair gave him an air of danger instead of proclaiming age. His angled face was hard, his black eyes dead. Evil truly existed, and it stood in front of her in the body of a soldier—one who had killed her friend.

  She swallowed. Too many questions ripped through her brain, so she remained silent. Her gaze turned toward a woman sitting quietly on a kitchen chair, blue eyes appraising, black hair up in a bun. Laney hadn’t even noticed the woman at first.

  Frant stepped to the side. “What are you doing here?”

  Tasha strode into the cabin and stopped short. “Sir. We hadn’t expected you so soon.”

  “Sir?” Laney turned to face Tasha. “You know him?”

  Tasha maneuvered around Laney toward Frant. “I’ve worked for the commander for years as a surgeon, a coroner, and most recently, an undercover operator.” She smiled, revealing yellowing teeth. “Who do you think implanted your boys with those handy chips?”

  Fire flashed between Laney’s ears, and she lunged for Tasha.

  Frant stepped between them and shoved Laney. Hard. She landed on her butt and bounced twice. Pain rippled up her spine. Scooting to the wall, she set her back against the rough wood, keeping them all in her sights. What she wouldn’t give for a gun. Instead, she cleared her throat and focused on the woman. “Who are you?”

  The woman looked down her nose. “I’m Dr. Madison, the one who created the boys. So you’re the doctor who escaped us five years ago?” She frowned. “You don’t look like much.”

  The commander smiled. “Oh, she’s plenty. Apparently Matthew has fallen, and hard.”

  Crimson spiraled across Madison’s classic cheekbones. “My Matt? Intriguing.”

  The hint of possession in her cultured tone made Laney want to puke. She ignored the evil wench and turned her attention toward the commander. “You’re okay with this whole serial-killer hobby?”