The Reckoning

by Kathryn Shay

  “We won’t know until we get inside him.” He squeezed her arm. “Keep the faith.”

  Sophie dropped down into the chair and put her face in her hands and sobbed. It was so hard seeing these strong women break down.

  Jamie crossed to Kinley. “I feel bad.”

  “I know you do.” He drew her down to sit. A distance away from the rest, she said, “What is it Kinley? Something other than Liam?”

  “I’m afraid this was Nigel’s doing. I’m afraid it was my fault.”

  She grasped his hand. “I thought of that. But even if it was Nigel, it isn’t your fault.”

  He frowned, deeply. She knew he didn’t believe her.

  They waited until three in the afternoon. Then the doctor came out and told them the bleeding had been contained, they’d repaired an open wound to the liver and Liam would fully recover.

  The next day at work, Kinley was beside himself. He called the police and demanded to see the two detectives he’d been working with. When Julia Manchester and John Camp arrived, he was loaded for bear. “Why the fuck can’t you locate him?”

  Manchester said calmly, “Because he’s gone underground.”

  “I think he surfaced and drove his car into my half-brother yesterday. Liam landed in the hospital with internal bleeding.”

  “We’re already running down that lead.”

  “Lead? Christ, it was a cataclysmic event.”

  “We have to wait for the forensics, Mr. Moran. We’re moving as quickly as we can.”

  “You’re not working fast enough. I’m going to hire a team of private investigators this time to find him.”

  Which, when he disconnected, he asked Jamie to take care of. She’d come to work with him to help out because he’d missed so much time at the office. Karen was with Ben.

  By noon, Jamie found a firm who could put six investigators on the case. They assured him they’d find Nigel.

  When he was alone in his office, his phone rang. “Moran.”

  “So, how’s your brother?” He recognized the asshole’s voice.

  “You son-of-a-bitch. What kind of a man are you that you’d go after innocent people?”

  “And what do you think you did when you took my father down?”

  “I never hurt anyone else.”

  “You hurt me, you bastard! And my mother.”

  “End this. Come after me.”

  “Boy, you are suffering, aren’t you?”

  Kinley had to gain control. “I have a plan to find you. I will. Maybe even today.”

  Nigel laughed, an ugly sound. “Maybe.” And hung up.

  Jamie and Kinley got home at three, and Karen brought Ben in about four-thirty. They were alone—the bodyguards were outside the door—and Kinley said, “How was school?”

  “’Kay. But…”

  “But what?” Jamie asked.

  “That guy? You know that I saw the picture of? I think he was at the fence when we went out for recess.”

  “Wasn’t Karen there with you?”

  “Uh-huh, but when I told her and she walked around, he was gone.”

  Dear Lord in heaven.

  Kinley called Karen inside.

  “I finished my report. I was coming in to give it to you. I searched the whole area. Nigel wasn’t there.”

  “You should have called me right away. Or his mother.”

  Karen frowned. “Why? What would you have done?”

  Kinley realized he was going off on the wrong person. “You can go, Karen.”

  Jamie’s face was white when he turned around.

  “Ben, go into the bedroom for a few minutes, would you please?” Kinley asked.

  “Can I do TV in yours?”

  “Yes, sure.”

  When Ben left, Kinley grasped Jamie’s arms. “I’m so sorry, love.”

  “When is this going to end?”

  “Maybe I should send you and Ben away somewhere until Nigel’s caught.”

  “Do you think we’d be safe away from here?”

  “I’d find a place.”

  “All right. Go ahead.”

  Kinley went to his office to search locations. At all costs, he’d protect the two of them.

  Chapter 15

  At noon the next day, Kinley’s personal phone buzzed. “Kinley, this is Clay Wainwright.”

  The former president would hold him accountable. Good. Somebody should. “Hello, Mr. President.”

  “Cut that crap, Kinley. I told you before.”

  Kinley softened his tone. “What can I do for you, Clay?”

  “I suspect Nigel Pembroke is responsible for Liam’s accident. I can’t risk any more harm to the rest of my family. I ran my idea by Bailey and she’s talking to her brothers. But you’ve got to participate, too.”

  “What is it?”

  “Everybody goes to Camp David until we catch Pembroke.”

  “All of us? Including spouses and kids?”

  “Yes. It’s been used before for this purpose.”

  “Is Camp David big enough to accommodate us all?”

  “Of course. I’ve held summits there. Individual cabins line the main road leading to the house. You, Jamie and Ben will come, too.”

  “Of course we will.”

  “And don’t you think of copping out on me at the last minute and staying here for some heroic reason.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I mean it, Kinley. I’m going with them and you better, too.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ll let you tell Jamie and Ben.”

  “When?”

  “Today. Pack whatever you need and a limo will pick you up at six.”

  “We’ll be ready.” After disconnecting, he turned to Jamie. “We have to go.”

  Jamie looked up. “Go where?”

  “Back home. To my place. We’ll stop and get Ben at school.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Clay has a plan. A solid one. You’ll like it.” He kissed her nose.

  Jamie was totally on board. When they picked up Ben and arrived home, she scanned the internet about the terrain and climate of Camp David.

  When she went to Ben’s room, Kinley threw a few things into a bag. He steeled himself against the feelings flooding him, primarily among them was his wish to live, to spend the rest of his life with Jamie and Ben—and the O’Neils.

  When a limo arrived, with Bailey, Clay and his kids in this one, Jamie helped Ben inside.

  The littlest of Bailey’s kids, Tyler, was bouncing around the backseat. “We don’t got to go school, Ben.”

  When Ben was settled in a booster chair and Tyler was back in his, the driver took hers and Ben’s bag, but Kinley held his back.

  “What are you doing?” Jamie asked on the sidewalk.

  He cradled her face. “I’m not going with you.”

  “What? You have to come.”

  “I can’t.”

  “It’s you he wants. He’ll certainly come after…” Awareness dawned in those lovely blue eyes, and on the heels of it, pain. “Oh, no. That’s what you expect. You’re staying to be…bait.”

  “This has to end, love.”

  “He’ll kill you if he can.”

  “I’ll work very hard to stop that from happening.”

  “No.” She started to cry. She hit him on the chest. Yelled, “You can’t do this to us.”

  “I’m doing this for you. And my family. I can’t take it if they’re hurt again.” He brushed her hair back. “Or you. I love you, Jame.”

  “I won’t see you again, be with you again, if you do this.”

  “I figured you might say that.”

  “Doesn’t it matter?”

  “You matter to me more than life itself.” He winced at how appropriate the cliché was.

  “Then this is goodbye.”

  “One kiss.”

  “No, I’m done with you.”

  She opened the door and climbed inside. After a moment, Clay bounded out of the car. “
What the fuck, Kinley? You promised me you’d come along.”

  “I know. I’m sorry for lying.”

  “Bullshit. I can get the Secret Service to bodily force you to come.”

  Kinley sighed. “Clay, what would you do if you were me?”

  A myriad of emotions flitted across the ex-president’s face. Finally, he reached out and hugged Kinley. “Try to stay alive, for all of us.”

  “Now that I can promise.”

  Jess Harper, his bodyguard, was close behind Kinley as they walked into the Ritz, when Jess’s phone rang. Kinley stopped and turned. His bodyguard frowned at his phone. “This is unusual, sir. It’s my wife so something bad—”

  “Answer it.”

  “Mary, what is it?” A pause. “Is he all right?” More hesitation. “Hold on a second.” Jess’s jaw was tight. “Mr. Moran, my son’s being rushed to the hospital for pains in his stomach. My wife says they’re excruciating. I need to go there, but I’ll make sure someone else is in place before I leave.”

  “Go now. I’ll stay in the apartment with the doors locked until someone else arrives.”

  He grimaced.

  “That’s an order.”

  “I’ll see you up first.”

  Once inside the apartment, Kinley changed into sweat pants and sneakers and headed to a small exercise room, which housed some gym equipment. He walked, then ran on the treadmill for an hour, working up a sweat. His mind kept drifting to Jamie.

  Then this is goodbye.

  One kiss.

  No, I’m done with you.

  He tried to tell himself if he survived tonight, she’d change her mind, but he knew Jamie, and she had a will of steel. She could do exactly what she said she would.

  After showering, he went to his computer and wrote letters to his attorney, signed them with his legal online signature, then printed off hard copies to leave on his desk.

  After a bit, his phone rang. “How do I know that you aren’t being coerced?” his lawyer asked.

  “You don’t. Put this in place tonight. If somebody contests it, which there’s no one who would do that, except maybe Portia, and I know she won’t, we’ll deal with it.”

  “You’d be dead, Kinley, and I’d have to execute the orders.”

  “Do it.”

  Exhausted, he dragged himself to his bedroom and laid down on the covers. What time would the group get to Camp David?

  He’d forgotten to check the distance on his phone, but he guessed the drive to be about four hours. Why hadn’t they flown? There were too many of them for helicopters. Probably even Clay couldn’t get a plane right away.

  He thought about his life and all he’d done until he dozed.

  “Wake up, asshole.”

  His eyes flew open. From the dim light in the corner, he saw Nigel standing over him, with a gun in his hand.

  Nigel shot him.

  Nigel scraped the desk’s straight chair to the bed and sat. He took pleasure in seeing pain soar through Moran’s body. He couldn’t move, which was what Nigel wanted.

  “You’re probably wondering how I got in?” Moran’s face contorted with pain. Good. “Can’t answer? I’ll tell you anyway. I waited until the garage door beneath the Ritz went up and your bodyguard left. I snuck in before it closed. He was in a hurry and didn’t check that little safety measure. The back stairway had guards, but I shot them, too. Then, you left your apartment door unlocked, you idiot.” He yanked his knife from his back pocket. “I’m gonna kill you. But not until I carve you up in so many places that you’ll beg for death.”

  Moran’s eyes widened with fear.

  “You’re afraid. I like that.” He felt the beast of revenge roar inside him. “And don’t think I’m missing anything. You stayed behind, let your bodyguard go, so your family will be safe if I kill you. They won’t, you lying bastard.”

  Nigel was euphoric from the high of finally, finally getting to this man, helped along of course with the weed he’d done. He sat back, trying to decide which place to cut first. Ah, Moran’s handsome face. Standing, he wavered a bit on his feet, then lifted his arm.

  It was grabbed from behind, yanked ruthlessly to his back. “What the fuck?”

  “You didn’t think I’d leave him alone for you to pick off, did you Nigel?” This voice was Jess Harper’s. The bodyguard who left.

  It was then Nigel realized he’d only figured out half the trick.

  Jamie was overwrought when they reached Camp David. She could hardly get out of the car. Bailey took care of Ben while Clay dealt with their children. Mike got her bag, and the next thing she knew, they were all inside. She was sharing the Aspen, the main building, with Bailey’s family. Alone now, sitting on her bed, she kept wondering if Kinley was dead yet.

  “Hey, girl.”

  She looked up. “Hi, Pat. All settled?”

  “Yeah.” He sat down next to her against the headboard. Took her hand. “Hell of a thing he did.”

  “Yeah, I should have expected it.”

  “He promised Clay he’d come.”

  “I’m not sure Kinley’s promises are worth much anymore.”

  Pat slid his arm around her and pulled her to his chest. “I’m, um, sorry, for the way I’ve treated the guy. About him and you. You’re a big girl, you can make your own decisions.”

  She snorted. “Until the next time.”

  “Maybe he’ll be okay, lass. He’s flanked by bodyguards, the police, and his PIs.”

  “Kinley was a street gang kid. He’ll know exactly how to evade them all if he wants to.”

  “Maybe. You have to keep the faith.” Pat held her tight. She closed her eyes…

  “Jamie, wake up.”

  She came to slowly.

  Pat was still next to her, holding her. “Clay has something to tell you.”

  Clay stood beside the bed. “They caught Nigel. He’s behind bars. Unfortunately, not before he shot Kinley, but it was only a shoulder wound. He’ll be fine.”

  Once again, Jamie burst into tears.

  Kinley woke up in pain, but it was dulled, must be by the shot they gave him in emergency. Portia sat by his side. “I can’t believe you refused to be admitted.”

  “I had a nurse in place before they let me come home.” He reached out took her hand. “And I agreed they could call you.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  The nurse walked in. “I need to take his vitals, Ms. Lincoln.”

  “All right.”

  Kinley endured the necessary test, which caused more pain, but soon she was done.

  Portia came back in. “What time is Jamie getting here?”

  “I doubt she’ll come.”

  “Your friend Clay—who happens to be a former president— filled me in on everything. I’m on their side, Kinley. You’re an idiot and I could kill you myself for the risk you took.”

  “I couldn’t allow Nigel to keep hurting people I love. You might have been next.” His eyes felt heavy. “I’m going to sleep again.”

  “You need rest.”

  The next time he awoke, he was in even more pain. He barked at the ubiquitous nurse who gave him another shot and he dozed off quickly.

  Sunlight was coming into the room the third time he pried his eyes open. Bailey sat beside him. “Hi, honey.”

  “Hi, yourself.” She frowned. “I’m furious at you. We all are.”

  “I had to keep you safe.”

  “That wasn’t your job.”

  “All this was my fault.”

  She took in a calming breath. “Well, I’m not going to fight with you when you’re in this condition. It wouldn’t be fair. But we will have this out.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Kinley.”

  “Back at you.”

  Forty-eight hours after they returned from Camp David, the five O’Neil siblings gathered for a family meeting at the pub. They brought certified letters they’d received. Even Pa was here.

  “Boy, this can’t be good.” Liam made the
remark from a separate table where he sat with his foot propped up on a chair. They agreed to wait till they were together to read what was inside the envelopes.

  They opened them.

  “Unbelievable!” From Dylan.

  “Ah, no. Check the date the boy did this,” Pa said.

  “He thought he wasn’t going to make it through the Nigel stuff.” Aidan’s voice was sad.

  “Man, that guy is a totally unpredictable bastard.” Everybody scowled at Pat. “But he knows how to make a point.”

  The door opened and in marched Jamie. Her face flaming, she crossed to them and noticed the letters. “What’d you get?”

  “All his shares in the pub legally transferred to us equally. We own Bailey’s fair and square.” This from Dylan. “What about you?”

  “The man left his apartment and his cars, even his company to me.”

  “What?” This from Bailey.

  “Are you kidding?” Aidan.

  “Geez.” Liam.

  Tears formed in Jamie’s eyes. “He thought he was going to die.”

  No response. They all recognized the stark truth.

  She swiped at her cheeks. “The fucker. As if this could mean anything to me without him.”

  Bailey got up and hugged her. “Have you seen him, Jame?”

  “No, of course not. I told him I wanted nothing to do with him.” A sigh. “Bailey?”

  “Yeah, briefly. I read him the riot act.

  “You guys?”

  Pat jutted out his chin. “Nope, we’re mad at him, too.”

  “He has nobody?” Jamie asked, a bit horrified.

  “I guess.” This from Liam.

  “Hell. You’re his family. You’d better go see him.” Jamie was even more upset now. “Help him through everything. He shouldn’t be alone.”

  “You should be doing that, girl.” Pa’s tone was tender.

  “Never.” She turned to Liam, the nicest one. “Go take care of him, Liam.”

  He stood and snagged his crutches. “Okay. I will.”

  Jamie threw the rest of them shade.

  “All right, we’ll all go.” This from Pat. “She’s right, he needs his family. Since it looks like she’s never plannin’ to be that, we have to be there for him.”