Lifeline

by Christy Barritt

  Based on the man’s purposeful and methodical movements, he’d had all of this planned. He knew how the hurricane shades worked, how to get into Bradley’s home, how to work the heater so that the maximum amount of gas would pour into the home.

  The time on the video showed that he’d arrived as soon as they left. He’d obviously had the private detective trailing them to insure he had time to do everything he’d wanted. He’d sealed off the house, giving the lethal gas plenty of time to fill the space before they arrived back home. An investigation by detectives had shown that the vents leading to Julianne’s apartment had been closed. He hadn’t wanted to harm her, just Bradley.

  Was it because he cared about Julianne? He probably thought he did, in his own way. But abusers mostly wanted control over their victims and taking away everyone else in Julianne’s life would allow him to have just that.

  Bradley was determined to not let that happen.

  * * *

  Julianne couldn’t ignore the chills that swept over her as she watched the video feed. Seeing Darrell there made her soul ache with fear.

  The man had some kind of morbid plan that involved her. But what? Exactly what was he planning? To kill everyone in her life so she’d have no choice but to run back to him? That would never happen. Besides, how could she run back to him if he was in hiding? What exactly was he hiding from, and why had he faked his death?

  She pinched the skin between her eyes, feeling a headache coming on. “I’m at a loss, Bradley. I don’t know how to catch Darrell or how to hide from him. I feel like I’m just at his disposal, that whenever he wants to terrorize me and turn my life upside down, he can.”

  Bradley grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “We’re going to get through this.”

  Julianne found tremendous comfort in hearing the “we” part of his statement. Bradley had been such a support to her. She wasn’t sure what she would have done without him.

  “Let’s talk this through. Right now, we suspect that Darrell killed your therapist and your boss. He killed my secretary and he may have even killed my fiancée.” Bradley’s voice sounded even and soothing—two things she needed at the moment.

  Hearing him say the words aloud only deepened the ache inside her. What an awful realization for Bradley to have—and a beyond-awful thing for Darrell to do, for that matter. She ran her hands across her face, trying to focus her thoughts. “Why is he targeting both of us? That’s what doesn’t make sense.”

  His gaze flickered up to hers. “You’ve got the degree in counseling. Any guesses?”

  She shrugged and heaved in a deep breath. Focus, Julianne. Focus. Try to be objective, to look at this like someone on the outside. “He has an obsessive personality. I know he really thought a lot of you. He was always talking about how much he looked up to you. Maybe we’re both people that Darrell obsessed over and wanted to control? Your fiancée may have taken time away from your work. She may have shifted your focus, which could have bothered him. And now he’s having a hard time letting go of both of us. He still wants to call the shots.”

  He nodded slowly, his gaze focused in the distance. “You could be onto something. But what about the Mexican drug cartel? How are they involved? That’s what doesn’t make any sense. They were definitely targeting you, and I want to know why.”

  She leaned into her chair, her thoughts swirling about in her head. “I have no idea. As far as I know, I’ve never had any contact with any of the Amigos. My life was pretty limited when I lived up in the D.C. area. It’s not like I had a lot of associations. I mostly had my church and my work, neither of which involved any drug cartels. At least, not that I know of.”

  “How about when you lived in Norfolk and worked with the inner-city kids? Did Darrell ever go to work with you? Did you see him talking to any of the parents?”

  “There weren’t very many Hispanics in the program. Just one that I can remember, now that you mention it. And the director. He was Hispanic. But he would never, ever be involved with the Amigos.”

  Bradley straightened, his curiosity obvious. “Did Darrell ever meet him?”

  “Darrell did come to work with me a few times. At the time, I thought he was trying to be sweet, but now that I have a different perspective, I realize it was just to have control over me. When I think back to how he acted that day, I know he was trying to scope out my workplace to see if there were any people there that he should feel threatened by.”

  “And were there any?”

  “I did see him talking to Paul, the director. Paul’s parents came here as migrant workers when he was just a toddler. He got his citizenship and has done some really great things for the kids in the area.”

  “Have you talked to Paul since you moved?”

  She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Now that you mention it, I was kind of surprised he didn’t try to keep in touch. But around the time Darrell died, he’d gotten engaged and resigned from his position with the program. Who knows where he is now? He’s probably married with a baby on the way.”

  Bradley swiveled in the chair until he faced his computer. “Let’s look him up. See if he’s still around.”

  The implications of what he was saying washed over her. “You really think Paul has something to do with this?”

  “We won’t know until we talk to him. Maybe he knows something—anything—that could help us find some answers. Right now, we need to figure out what the link is between Darrell and the Amigos. Considering everything that’s happened, any lead is a good lead.”

  Julianne nodded. Were they closer to finding answers? She prayed they were.

  THIRTEEN

  Two hours later, Bradley and Julianne headed down the road toward a restaurant in downtown Norfolk. Paul still lived in the area, and a simple internet search had turned up his name and phone number. He’d sounded pleasantly surprised to hear from Julianne, but hesitated to meet them. A simple “please” from Julianne had seemed to convince him, although he did mutter, “I have a family now.”

  Julianne had told him that her life was on the line. That’s when he’d said yes.

  Bradley and Julianne pulled up to an Irish restaurant located not far from the Elizabeth River. The inside was dark, but it only took a moment for Julianne to find the man sitting at a corner booth with a fizzy soda in front of him and a basket of mozzarella sticks. The way his gaze flittered from side to side made it obvious the man was nervous. But why? That’s what Bradley hoped to find out.

  Julianne leaned down to give Paul a quick hug before sliding into the booth across from him. Bradley introduced himself, wondering exactly what was going through the man’s head. What had him so on edge?

  A waitress appeared and they ordered sodas also. Paul squirmed, obviously uncomfortable in the booth. He was a slight man with a head full of dark hair and the shadow of a mustache and goatee. His clothes were casual—a T-shirt, jeans and zip-up sweatshirt.

  “I didn’t think we’d ever see each other again,” he muttered to Julianne, a slight Mexican accent to his words.

  Julianne flashed that beguiling grin of hers that could make the most uptight person relax. It had worked for Bradley on more than one occasion. “Yes, we lost touch, didn’t we? Or is it that you purposely stopped communicating?”

  His head swayed from side to side as if it weighed a hundred pounds. “You know I always liked working with you, Julianne. And you were great with the kids. I wished every person I’d hired for our program had your enthusiasm and heart.”

  She rubbed her lips together, looking more relaxed and in control than Bradley had expected. “So what happened?”

  He shrugged, his eyes shifting to something in the distance before meeting hers again. “Nothing happened.”

  Bradley leaned across the table. “I think we all know that’s not true. Paul, Julianne’s life is on
the line, and we think it has something to do with Darrell. Anything you can tell us will help.”

  His gaze continued to shift from side to side. His fingers tapped on the table. He licked his lips. The man was obviously anxious. Once again, Bradley couldn’t help wondering why. Just then, the waitress set their drinks on the table.

  Julianne leaned across the table, her voice as sweet as her countenance. “Paul, did Darrell say something to you when I brought him to work with me two years ago?”

  His wandering gaze finally landed on Julianne. “I’m married, you know. I have a six-month old. I gotta keep them safe.”

  Julianne ran her hand down the side of her soda, leaving a line in the moisture there. Her gaze never left Paul’s, though. “Of course you do. Is talking to us putting you in danger?”

  Paul leaned closer. Bradley could see his foot fluttering under the table. Bradley’s gaze roamed the restaurant again, but he evidently saw no one that made him suspicious.

  “Paul, I really need to know. Someone’s trying to kill me and, unless I find some answers, they just might get their wish.”

  His foot tapping reached a crescendo before he finally spread both of his hands on the table and leaned forward, his voice low. “Look, your friend Darrell found out that my mother was in the country illegally. She was living with me and if Immigration had found out about it, they would have deported her back to Mexico. He threatened to turn her in.”

  Julianne’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Why would he do that?”

  “He needed leverage to hold over me.”

  “Why would he need leverage?” She shook her head as if hoping her thoughts might fall into place.

  “He wanted drugs.”

  Bradley straightened, some of the pieces suddenly coming together. “Drugs? And how would you help him with that? You didn’t do drugs, did you?”

  “No, man. I’m not into that stuff. I’m clean. I’m a family man.”

  Bradley didn’t break his gaze with the man. “So how could you help him?”

  He set his jaw, his nostrils flaring. “My cousin. I don’t talk to the man, but he shows up in my life occasionally. Darrell knew about him, somehow.”

  More pieces came together. “Was your friend a part of the Amigos, by chance?”

  “How’d you know that?” His eyes widened in surprise.

  “You’d never believe it if we told you,” Julianne muttered. “What I don’t understand is how Darrell took drugs. The military does drug testing. How did Darrell get past those? He couldn’t have.”

  Bradley shook his head. “I don’t think he took the drugs. He dealt them. There’s big money involved there. Big money.” Bradley turned his attention back to Paul. “Did you introduce him to your cousin?”

  “I had no choice. I had to look out for my mom. After that, Darrell left me alone. At least, I think he did. Every once in a while, I thought I saw him watching me. As soon as I thought I saw him, he was gone again. Then we got the news that he died.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I’ve gotta admit it, Julianne, I was happy when I heard the news. Happy not only for myself but for you. I didn’t like the way he looked at you. He was loco. From the time you met him, I saw your happiness slip away. The life was being drained out of you, and it was Darrell’s fault.”

  Julianne grimaced. “I appreciate that, Paul. You don’t have to worry. I’m never going to put myself in that situation again. I had my blinders on.”

  Paul’s cell phone beeped. He pulled it from his pocket, hit a button and then his eyes widened. Anxiety was replaced with panic. “It’s a text message from the wife. She says there’s a strange car sitting outside of our home.” He stood. “I knew I should have never come here.” He shook his head, running a hand over his face as his features pulled tight. Then he slammed his fist on the table. “Aw, man. Not my wife. I’ve tried hard to stay away from this junk.”

  Bradley raised his hands, trying to get the man to slow down. “You need to call the police.”

  “I can’t! My mom...”

  Bradley stood, dropping some cash on the table. “Let us help. I’ll send some guys to your place. They’ll take your family to a safe house until this passes over.”

  “Who are your guys?” Paul’s hands went to his hips.

  “I work for a private security contractor. You’ll be safe with us.”

  “No police?” A touch of hope crept into his voice, as well as his gaze.

  Bradley shook his head. “No police.”

  Finally, Paul nodded. “Okay, then.”

  Julianne’s eyes met Bradley’s. He could see the worry in the creases around their edges and in the wrinkles across her forehead. He only prayed things got better and not worse.

  * * *

  An hour later, Julianne and Bradley stood on the dry, crispy lawn in front of a small, one-story house in a rundown Norfolk neighborhood. The car in front of his house had sped away as soon as Bradley’s men had shown up, and now Paul and his family were on their way to a place where they’d be safe until this storm passed.

  Julianne turned to Bradley, still trying to process her conversation with Paul. How could she not have seen what was going on? Never again, she promised herself. Never again would she put herself in a situation like she had with Darrell. God loved her too much for her to allow herself to be treated poorly or to be associated with manipulators.

  Bradley looked just as tense about the way events were playing out. All of his muscles appeared rigid and tight. She especially saw it in the set of his jaw. But, even in his distressed state, his gaze remained unwavering, a testament to his inner strength.

  “What now?”

  He turned until his blue eyes met hers. She was certain she saw affection in his gaze, and that realization made her heart flutter. It had been a long, long time since her heart did flips like it did at the moment. She needed to squash those feelings and fast.

  “I have an idea.”

  She shoved down her emotions and crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s that?”

  “Where do Darrell’s parents live?”

  Darrell’s parents? She hadn’t thought about them in a long time. “About an hour and a half from here, in Petersburg. Why?”

  “Have you talked to them since his death?”

  She shook her head. “He was estranged from them, for the most part. I only met them once, and they didn’t seem thrilled at the introduction. I saw them at his funeral, and that’s it. I haven’t seen them since.”

  “I think we should pay them a visit.”

  She shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight, trying to get a read on Bradley. She had no idea where he was going with this. “What good would that do?”

  Bradley grasped her arms and turned her until the sun was blocked by a nearby tree. Then he stepped into the shade also. She couldn’t be sure, but he seemed to step closer in the process. Squash the emotions, Julianne. Squash the emotions.

  “For a moment, let’s consider the idea that Darrell is indeed alive. I want to know if they’ve seen him or had any contact with him. Somehow, he’s getting money. He has a motorcycle. He obviously has a place to sleep at night. Who’s helping him? He can’t be doing all of this alone.”

  Who would help him? “Maybe he’s still selling drugs? Maybe that’s how he’s getting his money.” She shrugged. “Maybe Tommy really is helping him out. I doubt his parents are, though. I just can’t believe they would do that.”

  He nodded toward his car. “Let’s see if we can find some answers. They may not be helping him, but they may know someone who is.”

  Julianne didn’t move. She appreciated Bradley’s help more than she could express. But she knew the pressure Bradley had on him at the moment to wrap up the project he was working on at Eyes. His projects would save the lives of many�
��not just her in this current dilemma.

  He paused and looked back at her through narrowed eyes, as if he sensed her hesitation.

  Her hands went to her hips. “What about your project? Your presentation is coming up soon, and I know it’s important to you.”

  He stepped closer. His hands rested on her shoulders. The action seemed to ground her for a moment. “I won’t be doing a presentation if I’m dead. I called a couple of guys back at the office, and they’re going to handle a few things for me until I return.”

  She nodded as resolve settled over her. “Let’s go, then.”

  Bradley helped her into the car, and they started down the road. Julianne’s thoughts continually turned over the conversation. Just where was all of this leading? Would Darrell’s parents have any answers? How would they react to seeing her again? Bradley looked casual as he drove, but his tight grip on the wheel showed how heightened this situation was. He glanced at Julianne. “Tell me about Darrell’s upbringing.”

  Julianne sucked in a deep breath. His upbringing? What was there to tell? “Middle-class family. His dad worked at a factory and his mom was a teacher.”

  “I know he had at least one brother.”

  “One and only. Donald. He’s a year younger. Last I heard, he wasn’t married and he worked as an accountant. They weren’t close. They were opposites, as a matter of fact.”

  “Tragic that he died so close to Darrell.”

  Julianne tilted her head toward Bradley as she tried to make sense of his words. “What are you talking about?”

  “He died about a month before Darrell. I still remember that he had to take leave for the funeral.” Bradley’s words sounded even and sure.

  Julianne shook her head as she tried to merge what she knew with Bradley’s revelation. “He didn’t die.”

  “It was a car crash. You didn’t know?”

  She shook her head again. His words settled over her. Dead? She would have known if that were the case, wouldn’t she...?