by Rose, Karen
‘Same here,’ Gideon said, then pulled Mercy closer and kissed her temple. ‘Mercy and I cleared up a few . . . misunderstandings and she told me about you.’
‘What kind of misunderstandings?’ John asked, a little suspiciously.
Mercy threw up a prayer that John would be as forgiving as Gideon had been. ‘Do you remember when I told you that the man my mother married after she left Texas was abusive?’
John was silent for a long moment. ‘Yes,’ he finally said. ‘There was a lot you didn’t say, but you did tell me that.’
‘I told you that she was killed while getting me away.’
‘Yes, you did.’ He hesitated. ‘But the PI who Grandpa Benz hired to find you could find no police reports about her death.’
‘It wasn’t reported to the police,’ Mercy said, unsure what she was allowed to say about Eden. She didn’t want to jeopardize the FBI’s ongoing investigation by revealing too much.
‘John,’ Gideon cut in. ‘This is a very long story that we should tell you in person, but I can give you the abridged version. Our mother took us to what she thought was a commune where we’d be safe and happy, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. She smuggled me out when I was thirteen. She smuggled Mercy out four years later, when she was almost thirteen. It was dangerous both times she did it. She . . . didn’t survive the second time.’
‘Oh my God,’ John whispered. ‘Mercy, why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because I didn’t want to think about it,’ Mercy whispered back. ‘I’m sorry, John.’
‘I didn’t talk about it, either,’ Gideon said, half hugging Mercy again. ‘Not until a few months ago. It was traumatic. For both of us.’
Solidarity, she realized. Thank you, Gideon.
‘All right,’ John said slowly. ‘Hopefully one day you can tell me the unabridged version of that story. But can you tell me what was the misunderstanding that kept us all apart all this time?’
And this is the part where I admit to being a selfish person. ‘I was told that Gideon had tried to run away because he was lazy and didn’t want to work. I was told he’d died in his attempt. There were . . . consequences to his escape. Life was harder for my mother and me after that.’
John made a strangled sound, his eyes growing haunted. ‘More abuse?’
‘Yes,’ Mercy said levelly. ‘And I hated Gideon, because I blamed it on his laziness. But that was a lie. He escaped because he was abused, too.’ She tried to smile, but it fell flat. ‘I was angry at Gideon because he’d found this awesome family in Sacramento and at the time I didn’t have anyone. Then I met you and Angela and all the others and . . .’ She closed her eyes. ‘I wanted to keep you for myself. I never gave Gideon any of the messages you sent. I’m so sorry, John. So damn sorry. I cheated you out of six years with Gideon. I’ll understand if this changes things between us.’
No one said anything as the seconds ticked by, then John’s voice pierced her misery, and she nearly started crying again at the warmth in his tone. ‘Mercy, open your eyes.’
Preparing herself, she did, only to see John smiling at her sadly. ‘Nothing changes. I promise. I said this morning that we’d figure it all out, and I meant it.’
She pressed her hand to her mouth to stifle the sob that rose to choke her. ‘Thank you.’
Gideon pulled her close. ‘It’s okay, Mercy. Cry if you need to.’
‘I’ll mess up your suit.’
Gideon chuckled. ‘Wouldn’t be the first time. Besides, Daisy hates this suit. She says it’s scratchy.’
Mercy rubbed her cheek on his lapel. ‘She’s right.’
John blew his nose noisily. ‘How much of this can I share with the sibs?’
‘Anything I’ve told you,’ Gideon said. ‘When this is all settled and Mercy is safe, we’ll come out to see you. Together. And then we can all sit down and hash this out once and for all.’
John frowned, then shook his head hard. ‘I forgot why I was calling you, Mercy. I saw the video. The one from the airport,’ he added quickly, and Mercy figured her face had shown her horror. ‘The one of that man trying to take you away.’
‘His name is Harry Franklin,’ Gideon said, ‘but we knew him as Ephraim Burton.’
John’s jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with sudden rage. ‘He’s the one, isn’t he? The one that hurt you both?’
Gideon and Mercy exchanged a look. ‘Yes and no,’ Mercy said. ‘Yes for me, but for Gideon it was Ephraim and his brother, Edward.’
‘Mercy, that man in the video was here.’
Mercy jerked upright. ‘What?’
‘When?’ Gideon barked.
‘Friday,’ John said grimly. ‘My wife and I weren’t home from work yet. Our nine-year-old daughter opened the door.’
‘Oh my God,’ Mercy breathed. ‘Did he hurt her, John?’
‘No, she’s safe. After that policeman called us this morning, we weren’t sure what to tell the kids. We didn’t want to scare them, but decided it was better to be scared but safe. When we showed the kids his picture from that airport video, Michaela pointed him out. Said he’d been by looking for you, Mercy. She was going to tell you, but you left town before she could.’
‘What exactly did he say to her?’ Gideon asked tensely.
‘Just asked if Mercy lived there. Michaela told him no. But she gave him your address.’ John’s jaw clenched. ‘That’s how he found your neighbor. The one he killed.’
Mercy felt sick. ‘You have to go somewhere safe, John. Please.’
John looked from her to Gideon. ‘Do you agree, Gideon?’
Gideon nodded. ‘Yeah, I do. I hate to say it, but we don’t know if Ephraim has helpers outside the community.’
John frowned again. ‘Community? You mean the commune your mother joined?’
Gideon hesitated. ‘Yes.’
John pinned them with a cold stare. ‘In other words, it was a cult.’
Gideon sighed. ‘It was, and the FBI is investigating. We don’t want to give them a heads-up that we’re looking for them, so please keep that to yourself for a while?’
John’s nod was harsh. ‘I will. But I wish I’d been home when he came.’
‘No, you don’t.’ Mercy could hear the hysteria creeping into her voice and she made a conscious effort to dial it back. ‘He’s killed people. Please find a place to hide. Please.’
‘The kids are in school,’ John protested, then snapped his mouth shut. ‘They’re vulnerable there, aren’t they?’
‘If he comes back, yes,’ Gideon said. ‘At the moment we have no idea where he is.’
‘He hurts people you love to keep you in line,’ Mercy blurted. ‘He knows you could be leverage to hurt Gideon and me, to make us do what he wants.’
‘All right. We’ll make plans to go away for a week or so. I hope that’s long enough.’
Me too, Mercy thought. ‘If not, we can figure out the next steps together. I don’t want you guys touched by this. By any of this.’
‘Same goes, Mercy. You two be careful, okay?’
‘We will.’ Mercy hesitated, then sighed. ‘You knew I thought you’d seen the other video.’
John’s jaw tightened again. ‘Yeah. I read the article. The video was gone by then. I have attorneys at my disposal. I can ruin that asshole.’ His lips twisted. ‘Jeff Bunker. If that’s even his real name.’
‘It is,’ Gideon said, surprising her. ‘Trust me, I already looked him up. He’s a college kid. Communications major in Sacramento.’
‘Punk,’ John growled.
Gideon’s chuckle was harsh. ‘You’re not wrong. We’re going after him for posting that video. It was part of someone else’s plea deal in New Orleans, so by posting it, it linked him to the original crime. We’ll take him down. Don’t even worry about it. You just keep yourselves safe.’ He paused, t
hen said, ‘We need to go, John. We need to inform the investigators about Ephraim coming to your house. They may want to talk to you.’
‘They’ll have to follow us to Florida, then,’ John said. ‘We’re taking the kids to Disney World. That far enough away, Gideon?’
‘Just make sure you keep your family in sight the whole time and call me if you see anything that makes you feel unsafe.’ Gideon ended the call and Mercy drew a deep breath.
‘She’s just a little girl, Gideon. What if he’d grabbed her?’
‘He didn’t,’ Gideon said firmly. ‘And we’re going to make sure he doesn’t. I have a few friends in Florida. They might like a little side pay.’
‘Bodyguards? You trust them?’
‘With my life. They’ve had my back over the years when it’s counted. I’ll call John later for more information about their plans, and then I’ll make the calls to Florida. You worry about you and Farrah.’
All the good feelings were swept away by despair. ‘Poor Aunt Quill. I know in my head that it’s not my fault, but . . .’
‘I get it. But you can’t let the guilt take over. Farrah needs your strength, not apologies for something you didn’t cause.’
He was right. So was Rafe. ‘Got it. I’ll be who she needs.’
Gideon pulled her to her feet and dropped a kiss on her head. ‘I know you will.’
Granite Bay, California
Sunday, 16 April, 6.30 P.M.
Rafe could count on one hand how many times in his life he’d felt so helpless. He stood in the doorway of his father’s office, watching as Mercy held Farrah close, rocking them where they stood.
‘I’m sorry,’ Mercy whispered. ‘I’m so damn sorry.’
Farrah shuddered. ‘This isn’t your fault, Mercy. It isn’t anyone’s fault except the bastard who did this to her.’
‘I hate this,’ Captain Holmes hissed so that only Rafe would hear.
‘I know,’ Rafe murmured, his breath hitching when Mercy looked at him over Farrah’s shoulder. Her sad smile broke his heart and he wanted to go to her, but he respected her wishes when she mouthed, Give us a minute.
‘Come on,’ Rafe told Holmes. ‘You’ve got to be starving. My mother wants to feed you.’
Holmes reluctantly followed him from the office and into the kitchen, where Gideon sat with Sasha and Daisy. Irina buzzed around the stove, stirring something.
Some people drank when they were upset. Some people picked fights. Others cleaned obsessively. His mother cooked. Obsessively.
Luckily, they were all big eaters. Holmes looked like he could hold his own with any and all of the Sokolovs when it came to chowing down. Holmes was a big guy, tall and broad.
‘Captain Holmes, have you met these guys?’ Rafe asked, gesturing for him to sit.
‘I met Agent Reynolds and your mother when I first got here.’ Holmes dipped his head in a respectful nod as he sat between Gideon and Rafe. ‘Ma’am. Thank you for the tea. I don’t know how much of it Farrah drank, but I know she appreciated the thought.’
‘She is a good person, your Farrah,’ Irina answered, already dishing up a plate of the lamb she’d served for Sunday dinner. ‘You are hungry, yes?’
Holmes’s lips twitched up into a small smile. ‘Yes, ma’am.’ And he must have been, because he cleaned his plate before Rafe had blinked twice.
Irina gave him seconds before he could ask or refuse, patting his arm as she took her own seat. ‘So, is Farrah—’ She sighed, cutting herself off. ‘She can’t be okay. That is a foolish question.’
‘She will be,’ Holmes said, digging into his second plate. ‘Thank you for this. I haven’t eaten anything since last night. Except airline peanuts.’
‘Pah.’ Irina shook her head. ‘Traveling is hard enough without the airlines starving the passengers.’
‘Sitting in economy is worse. I’m still sore from having my knees in my chin for seven hours.’ He ate the second helping more slowly, looking around the table. ‘Hey. I’m André.’
Rafe did the introductions. ‘This is Gideon’s girlfriend, Daisy Dawson; my father, Karl; and my sister, Sasha. Where is Erin?’
‘She went outside to check with the agents,’ Irina told him. ‘She wants to know when they’re changing shifts so that she can supervise.’
That made sense, Rafe thought gratefully. Erin paid attention to details like that. ‘Erin’s my partner on the force. You can meet her later.’
‘André, we were hoping to ask you some questions, when you’re finished eating,’ Gideon said.
‘Go ahead and ask now. I’m used to eating around conversations.’ André’s chuckle was subdued. ‘I’m marrying into Farrah’s family. They . . . well, they talk a lot.’
‘I knew she and I were sisters of different misters,’ Sasha said lightly, and then her shoulders sagged. ‘I’m so sorry about her aunt. Can you tell us what happened?’
‘I’m surprised that it took us so long to find her, honestly.’ André nodded his thanks to Irina when she placed a plate of freshly baked bread at his elbow. The kitchen counters were filled with baked goods, marinating meats, and finished casseroles. It smelled like home should smell. ‘The Romeros are very close. That she didn’t show up for Mercy’s going-away breakfast should have raised red flags with all of us, but she’d texted the night before that she had already invited a friend over and didn’t want to be rude. She said she’d forgotten about having plans. None of her friends showed up, or they would have found her sooner. Her killer might have sent the text himself. We didn’t think a thing about it because Quill was getting forgetful and she’d said her goodbyes to Mercy on Friday afternoon. Mercy stayed with Farrah at the Romeros’ overnight on Friday,’ he explained. ‘That way they could have breakfast with the family before heading out to the airport.’
‘How did you discover her?’ Rafe asked.
‘Anonymous phone call,’ André said, then raised a brow. ‘Made from a phone here in Sacramento.’
Everyone at the table stared at him in surprise. ‘Where in Sacramento?’ Gideon asked.
‘Near a place called Carmichael. Probably a burner phone.’
Rafe and Gideon shared a puzzled glance. ‘Burton wouldn’t have called to report a murder he did,’ Rafe said, as sure of that as he was of his own name. ‘Can we listen to the 911 call?’
‘Yep. Thought you might want to hear it. The call came in at about three thirty central time this morning, so one thirty a.m. here.’ André pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen, and a high-pitched, nervous voice began to speak. The caller was young. Male. And he sounded nothing like Ephraim Burton’s growl.
‘Hi, um, I need to report a death. Probably a murder. Maybe a murder? The lady’s name is Miss Romero.’ The young man blurted out the address. ‘I, uh, I found her. It was Friday evening, maybe seven thirty? And . . . well, I might have touched her body. Okay, yes, I did touch her, but only to lift her off the floor and onto the sofa. I thought I was gonna need to do CPR, but she was already dead. She was a really nice lady. So, please go get her and tell her family. Um, thanks, bye.’
The 911 operator tried to get the man to wait, but he’d already hung up.
André shrugged. ‘Lots of fingerprints in her apartment, but ninety-nine percent are going to be family and friends. Quill loved to entertain,’ he finished wistfully. ‘She was a sweet lady.’
Rafe asked him to play the recording again, listening for anything that might give him insight into the caller, but all he got was scared kid. ‘That is not Ephraim Burton, aka Satan.’
‘No,’ Gideon murmured. ‘It’s definitely not. Who else was in New Orleans on Friday?’
‘I don’t know.’ André accepted a slice of bird’s milk cake with a grateful smile. ‘I was hoping you guys might know. Quill was found on the sofa and the place was just wrecked, but nothing major was
missing. NOPD found ten grand hidden in various places in the house – under the mattress, in the freezer, at the bottom of her unmentionables drawer. It wasn’t hard to find, but her killer didn’t take it.’
‘You’re sure it was homicide?’ Irina asked. ‘If she was elderly, it’s possible she died of natural causes.’
‘Unlikely.’ André hesitated, then blew out a sigh. ‘I’m not supposed to even know this, but I’ve got friends in all kinds of places and I know you all want this solved as much as we do. Quill showed signs of suffocation. Rigor was starting to fade, so the time the guy says he found her sounds right.’
‘Cameras in the building?’ Gideon asked. ‘Please say my sister picked a building with security cameras.’
‘I’d like to, but no. It’s not a bad building, and it had a working camera at some point, but it was broken. The residents NOPD talked to were surprised to hear there was a camera at all.’
Rafe drummed his fingers on the table, then, following his gut, did a search on his phone. ‘What about this guy?’ He turned the phone to show the YouTube video he’d pulled up. ‘The asshole who wrote that damn article about Mercy.’
Gideon’s jaw tightened so hard that his teeth should have been dust. ‘Jeff Bunker,’ he hissed, fury in every line of his body.
Rafe shared the sentiment. ‘Let’s have a listen to Mr Bunker.’
‘Who looks like he’s sixteen,’ Sasha said, ‘because he is. Dad and I looked him up. Kid’s some kind of genius, already in his second year at Sac State.’
‘I don’t care if he’s a fucking Einstein,’ Gideon gritted out. ‘If I get my hands on him, he’ll wish he’d picked on someone else’s sister.’
Daisy laid her hand on Gideon’s arm. ‘Hey,’ she said soothingly. ‘I want to disembowel him with a rusty grapefruit spoon, but maybe we shouldn’t say that out loud with other cops in the room?’
Gideon huffed a laugh, then scrubbed his face with his palms. ‘Play it, Rafe. Please.’
Rafe did, and within seconds it was obvious that it was the same voice as the 911 call. The recorded Jeff Bunker was talking about the recent serial killer ‘situation’ in Sacramento, saying he wanted to focus on the survivors since other journalists were talking about the killer’s dead victims.
