Unleashing Hound

by Harley Stone

  “Everything important,” I clarified.

  He snorted. “If those emails are connected to her murder, I think it’s safe to say they’re pretty damn important.”

  “But we wouldn’t have connected them until after her death. Hell, I didn’t even realize the connection until after Rishi was killed.”

  “Ah-ha, so you admit there’s a connection.”

  “Alleged connection,” I corrected. “Possible alleged connection. Why are you coming at me like this?”

  “Because you’re suddenly acting like this will all go away, and it won’t. There’s something I need to tell you.” He shook his head and met my gaze. “Meals, Polly wasn’t just murdered. She was stoned.”

  “Impossible. She didn’t do drugs. Ever. We had a pact.”

  “Goddammit.” Levi hit his desk, making me jump. “Stoned, as in killed with rocks.”

  My stomach lurched as his words sank in.

  Stoned with rocks.

  It couldn’t be true. It was too horrible. Too shockingly cruel. He had to be wrong. “No.”

  “Yes.” Some of his anger deflated. “I’m sorry. It’s still an active investigation, so they didn’t release the details. Besides, I’m sure Ontario’s finest didn’t want to scare the shit out of the public by drawing attention to a religious hate crime.”

  “Rishi was stabbed. That’s not religious,” I argued, as desperation began to seep in. I could feel the walls closing in around me. I’d been compartmentalizing for so long and now everything tumbled free and jumbled together, filling me with chaos.

  “He was stabbed in the stomach.”

  “You say that like it’s significant.”

  “It could be. I did some research and the way Rishi was killed sounds a lot like the work of Ehud, the Judge.”

  In the Old Testament, the Israelites screwed up a lot. Every time they did, God would turn them over to their enemies until he decided they were punished. Then He’d send a judge, or a hero of sorts, to free them. Ehud was left-handed, allowing him to smuggle a double-edged sword, undetected, into a meeting to stab Elon, the king of Moab, in the stomach thereby, freeing the Israelites.

  “Rishi was wealthy, but he was hardly a king.”

  “I don’t know a lot of zealots who care about things like details. What about the bloody X over the door?”

  “So, you think the blood over the door symbolizes a bizarro Passover and the stomach stabbing is from Judges? That doesn’t make sense. They’re mixing up their Bible stories.”

  “You think someone crazy enough to murder innocent people is gonna get caught up on logistics?”

  Stabbed in the stomach. Stoned to death. A bloody, fucking X. I couldn’t even cope with this shit. “What the hell happened to ‘Let him without sin cast the first stone’?”

  “You know that’s New Testament, Meals. This guy seems to prefer the crime and punishment system of the old book. Grace doesn’t appear to be his thing.”

  I groaned. “Well, if Polly was meeting a client, there would have been a deposit made into her account. I told Detective Monte to look for it. When you met with your friend from the motorcycle club in BC, did he say whether or not she’d received a payment?”

  “No.” Levi shook his head and his eyes filled with compassion. “But Hicks, the detective I met with up in Vancouver, called a few days ago and said there were no recent deposits in her account. They don’t think she was there for a client.”

  “She had to be. Why else would she go to a hotel?”

  He clamped his mouth closed. I could almost see the internal struggle written all over his face. He had more to tell me, but he was reluctant. Whatever it was, it had to be bad to make Levi hesitate. A feeling of dread washed over me.

  God, what else?

  “You might as well spit it all out,” I said, feeling defeated.

  “They went through Polly’s phone and email records, and didn’t find any messages with Bible verses. No appointments. Nothing. They have security camera footage of Polly’s killer, and although he was careful not to show his face, his build… his gait… they believe it’s the same guy who killed Rishi. My gut tells me this was never about Polly. It’s about you.”

  If he was right, I’d had one friend—one goddamn friend in the whole entire world—and her association with me had gotten her killed. Guilt threatened to choke me as I wondered why. Had I done something to piss someone off? The reverend used to tell us that God was always watching, and if we strayed too far from the path, he’d destroy us like he destroyed the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah. I’d always shrugged off the reverend’s teachings, but now, after the heinous, violent deaths of two of my friends, the reverend’s warnings haunted me.

  Was I cursed now?

  Forty percent of homicides are never solved.

  “Do you think this is my punishment for…” I glanced at Hound’s back, “for leaving the compound?”

  Levi’s brow furrowed. “Depends on who you think is punishing you. I could see the reverend doing this, but God?” He shook his head. “I don’t even know what to believe about that anymore. If God is real, I wish he’d save us from His fuckin’ followers.”

  His answer didn’t make me feel any better. “When did you find this all out, Levi?”

  “Tuesday.” He had the decency to look ashamed. “That’s when Hicks called.”

  He’d been sitting on this information for days. “And you didn’t think you should tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to freak you out. I thought we’d find this asshole by now, but he’s buried his tracks.” Levi scrubbed a hand through his short hair. “I’m only tellin’ you now, because you can’t go home. Not until we find this fucker.”

  “And what if he comes after you?”

  Levi leveled a stare at me. “I wish he fuckin’ would.”

  My cousin was angry, but so was I. “You should have told me.”

  He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. “Yeah, but I didn’t. Hindsight’s a bitch. I just… God, I hate this fucker.”

  It wasn’t an apology because he wasn’t sorry. Levi had been spot-on when he’d mentioned his superhero complex. He wanted to save me. Even from the truth. Even from my own guilt. But now that it was out there, my brain wouldn’t stop serving up images of Polly, her beautiful face caved in by rocks. Was that why her mother had ordered Polly’s cremation? Because someone had beaten her to death with stones? My stomach churned at the thought. I jumped to my feet, knocking my chair back in my haste. “I need to get out of here for a while.”

  “And go where?” Levi asked. “There’s a sick fucking son-of-a-bitch looking for you.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” I snapped, my voice rising. Even though I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. “But if I don’t get some goddamn air, I’m gonna go all sorts of ape shit on this laptop.” First, I’d bash it against the wall. Then I’d smack Levi upside his thick skull with it. Anything left, I’d use on myself for getting Polly and Rishi killed.

  “There’s a coffee shop across the street,” Hound said, standing. “I can take you.”

  I’d been so involved in my discussion with Levi, I’d almost forgotten Hound was still in the room. “Thanks, but I’m sure that’s not necessary.” I appreciated his offer, but I wanted to be alone. Hell, I wanted the murderous asshole to find me so I could extract some revenge.

  Levi leveled a glare at me. “Take Hound or you don’t go.”

  I met his glare and dug my heels in. He was supposed to help me, not imprison me.

  Levi smirked, looking every bit like the stubborn, deranged lunatic he was. “I can do this all day, Meals. I can also lockdown this building so you can’t get out. You know I’m right. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t need my help.”

  “Biggest mistake of my life.” Not that I had an issue with Hound, per se. It was the principle of needing a babysitter to quite literally cross the street. That, and I was on the brink of losing my shit at any second, which wa
s something I preferred to do in private, not in front of Hound.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, well, now it’s personal and I’m not about to let this asshole win.”

  My existence had devolved into a pissing contest between my cousin and my would-be killer. Awesome. “Fine.” I slid my purse over my shoulder and headed for the door not bothering to wait for Hound.

  “Don’t let her out of your sight,” Levi said.

  “Yessir,” came Hound’s clipped reply. “You want anything?”

  “Sure. Grab me an espresso. Here. I’ll buy for everyone.” Levi slid open his desk drawer and tossed Hound a couple of bills.

  I flung open the door and stalked away with Hound on my heels. Once we were out of Levi’s office, I lengthened my strides, hurrying to put as much distance between me and my stubborn, bone-headed, irritating jackass of a cousin as possible.

  Hound had to hurry to catch up. When I glanced behind me, I saw him wince, and felt like a total bitch for hurting him. It wasn’t Hound’s fault I was pissed. Hell, it wasn’t even Levi’s. The person I really wanted to beat the shit out of was me. A sob tried to rip its way out of my chest, but I forcefully shored up the fissure, unwilling and unable to allow myself to crack just yet.

  I slowed down, so Hound could catch up.

  “He’s worried about you,” Hound said as we rounded the corner into the common room.

  Irked by the way he was defending Levi, I fired back, “Then he shouldn’t withhold valuable information! If I had known this was about me, I could have narrowed down my search. Maybe looked for people in my past instead of focusing on those Polly and I had in common. Now I’ve lost valuable time on the wrong suspects.” Of course, if Polly hadn’t been my friend, she’d probably still be alive, but I couldn’t think about that. I had to hold back the guilt or it would crush me.

  “Pride is a funny thing.”

  “You think?”

  Hound watched me. I could feel his gaze burning into the side of my face, but refused to look at him.

  “Sorry. Levi brings out the worst in me. He always has.”

  Hound nodded. “He doesn’t pull punches.”

  I snorted and stopped, turning to face Hound. “No, he sure doesn’t. Doesn’t that piss you off?”

  Hound looked at me like I was nuts. “No. I value his honesty. I’d much rather have him be real with me than sugar coat lies. I’ve had more than enough of that shit in my life.”

  I was looking for an ally against my cousin, but clearly Hound wasn’t it.

  “Morse and Tap have made a reputation for themselves by being able to find any digital fingerprint. Hell, Morse made a career out of it. Your stalker is eluding them, and that’s gotta feel like a kick in the balls.”

  “Should I apologize for the way my stalker has emasculated him?” I asked, my tone full of snark.

  “This is about more than his masculinity. This is his identity, Mila”

  I didn’t want to hear excuses for my cousin’s behavior. “What about your pride?” I asked, turning the question back on Hound as I resumed my march toward the exit. “You have to play babysitter to the boss’ cousin. That’s gotta be a kick in your balls, too.”

  He hurried to reach the front door of the old fire station and held it open for me, despite the pain his haste must have caused. “I pay for my pride every goddamn day.”

  And he’d no doubt be paying for this walk later. Feeling like a total bitch for lashing out at him when none of this was his fault, I slowed my pace again. “Sorry. That was uncalled for.”

  “It’s okay. I understand your frustration.” He fell into step beside me. “But let me ask you something. Out of everywhere in the world you could have gone to seek sanctuary, why did you come here?”

  “Levi’s the only family I have now.” And I had needed him. As much as Levi drove me crazy, I knew I needed to be here. I’d needed my cousin’s sharp mind and hard truths. Even if I didn’t want them.

  “What about your parents? What the fuck is up with this compound you guys are always talking about?”

  His intrusive question probably should have outraged me, but I was suddenly exhausted. Shock, anger, denial, guilt, and resolve had all worked me over. I’d used up too many emotions for the day, and now all I felt was numb. If Hound wanted answers, I’d give him some. What did I have to lose? “Levi and I have been excommunicated.”

  Confusion etched into the lines of his forehead. “By your family? Isn’t that a religious term?”

  “Our parents are part of a cult.” I couldn’t help but frown at the word. It sounded so dark—so evil—not at all how I’d been taught to see the people I grew up around. “It feels weird to admit it, but that’s what the compound is. A man we all refer to as ‘the reverend’ runs the place. Whatever he says goes, and anyone who questions him is kicked out. Permanently. Unless, of course, you’re a kid. Then you’re basically beaten into submission.”

  “Wow.” We’d reached the crosswalk, so Hound pressed the button to request the light. “I’ve never known anyone who grew up in a cult before.”

  “Technically, you have, but I’m sure Levi doesn’t talk about it. He was a rebel. He took so many beatings it’s a wonder he has an ass left.” And he’d protected me, just like he was protecting me now. A few of his beatings should have been mine, but my cousin took the fall for me. “I was a horrible brat to him, but Levi always watched my back.” He’d always done everything he could to keep me safe, even when we were kids. Just when I thought I couldn’t feel any more emotions, guilt found a way to creep back in.

  “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. He’s a good guy. What was it like for you?”

  “Restrictive. Boring. Controlled. Since we weren’t allowed to leave the grounds and venture out into the sinful world, our moms rotated teaching duties. Let me tell you, that was interesting. They weren’t the best teachers. The classroom was small, and the curriculum was all centered around the Bible. Levi wanted freedom. I just wanted the right to learn science and read secular literature.”

  “But you didn’t act up like he did?”

  “No. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t buy into their bullshit, either, but our coping methods are different. I have a strong aversion to conflict and know how to say and do the right things to make people happy. I focused on my approved schoolwork and stayed as far away from the reverend as I could.”

  “And that Billy the Bastard guy got you out?”

  Hound had been paying attention to my conversation with Levi, after all. I don’t know why I found that comforting, but I did. Maybe because of what he said about paying attention to people to make sure they felt valued. He was right, and his attention did make me feel cherished.

  “Yeah. He did a lot for me. Billy’s motives were about ninety percent selfish, but at least he helped me get out of there. And I did learn a lot from the experience.” Sure, Billy had broken my heart and given me trust issues, but if it weren’t for him, I’d probably still be living that miserable compound life. As much as I hated the bastard, I was grateful he’d sprung me from my prison.

  The walk signal lit up and we stepped out into the street.

  “You don’t think he killed Polly, do you?”

  I shook my head. “Not his style. He’s a spoiled brat, but he’s not a murderer.”

  “But what if you’re wrong?” Hound asked.

  I’d been wrong plenty of times in my life, no question about that. If making bad choices was a sport, I’d have gone pro long ago. I didn’t think I was wrong this time, though. The truth of my words resonated in my gut.

  I just hoped my gut didn’t get me or anyone else killed.

  12

  Hound

  “AMELIA? AMELIA DAVIS? Is that really you?”

  Mila and I had just collected our drinks from the coffee shop pickup counter when a man wearing tan slacks, leather loafers, a light blue button up shirt, and thick horn rim glasses approached. A bright smile was stretched across his face, and his attenti
on was focused solely on the beauty standing beside me as if the rest of the coffee shop wasn’t even there.

  I understood exactly how he felt, because the world tended to melt away for me as well whenever I was with Mila.

  Although he looked harmless enough, his hurried pace put me on edge. I stepped between him and Mila, ready to dump two steaming tumblers of coffee over his head if he tried anything. Not exactly the manliest defense, but I wasn’t too prideful to work with the tools I had on hand, and hot coffee would do some damage.

  “Toby?” Mila asked. “Toby Mayer?”

  Ignoring my protective stance, the man held his arms out to her. “The one and only. Wow! It is you! Come here.”

  Squealing with excitement, Mila stepped around me and embraced him, careful not to spill her coffee. “I can’t believe it! I haven’t seen you in forever.”

  She seemed ecstatic, but since we hadn’t vetted whoever the hell this was, he had to be treated as a threat. I sized him up. He was lean, possibly a runner. Considering the condition of my spine, that could be a problem. If he tried to snatch Mila, I’d have to disable him before he made it to the door, or I’d probably lose them for good.

  Although I didn’t feel fully equipped for guard duty, I’d be dammed if I let anything happen to Mila.

  She and Toby pulled apart. Still wearing matching smiles, they looked each other over like long lost friends.

  “Can you sit down and catch up?” Toby asked Mila.

  She hesitated for the briefest of moments before nodding. “Sure. I can spare a few minutes for my oldest friend. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to and why you’re in Seattle.”

  I followed right behind her, keeping an eye on him.

  Toby led us to a table for two that held an open laptop and a large coffee. “I come here to work sometimes and I… Sorry. I’m having a hard time believing you’re really here. I don’t even know what to say. This is so wild. Here, let me get that for you.” He pulled out her chair before taking the other one. Closing his laptop, he gave her his full attention. “And my job brought me to Seattle.”