Border Breach

by Darlene L. Turner

  “You really want to play that card? A man is about to be killed. We could charge you with accessory to murder.”

  The man’s eyes darted back and forth. “Fine. The florist would contact me every time he knew a load was coming across and I’d get the certificates ready for the driver. He’d pick up the shipment from the grower and stop by to see me. I’d give them the paperwork and they were all set. End of story.”

  Kaylin folded her arms across her chest. “You left out the part where teenagers are dying because of this new enhanced doda.”

  His eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”

  Hudson leaned forward. “The doda is mixed with a lethal dose of fentanyl.”

  He put his hands in the air. “Hey, man, I didn’t have any part in that mess.”

  Roger stood. “You did and you’re going to pay for it.”

  Hudson shifted in his chair and steepled his fingers. “Anything else you can tell us? Do you know the name Valentino?”

  “Nope. Just dealt with the florist and Blaine.”

  Kaylin leaned back. “Blaine Ridley?”

  “That’s him.”

  Kaylin eyed Hudson.

  He lifted his brow and stood. “How can we get in touch with Mr. Ridley?”

  “You can’t. He always contacted me through the dark web.” His lips formed into a twisted grin.

  Another dead end. Kaylin pushed away the desire to wipe the smug look off his face, but stood instead. “We’re done here.”

  “What about me?” Cabe towered over them.

  Roger shoved him back into the chair. “The police will be by shortly to take you to jail. You won’t be issuing any more certificates.”

  They closed the door behind them.

  Kaylin scowled. “Every story leads back to Blaine.”

  “Yup. I’ll guess this other guy will tell us the same thing.”

  They questioned the poppy straw grower, but didn’t get anything further from him. Same MO and Blaine’s name came up again. He was definitely the key, but how could they unlock this mess? Did Blaine have her father?

  Kaylin and Hudson thanked Roger for his help and left the Detroit border, making their way across the Ambassador Bridge during the rush hour traffic. She turned up the air conditioner. The heat stifled her just like her frustration with this case. “Do you think we’ll ever get a break on Ridley’s whereabouts? He must be the one who has Dad.”

  Fat rain drops splatted on the windshield. One. Two. Three.

  Kaylin peeked at the skies. The clouds were about to open.

  “We’re out of leads. Let’s broaden the area and include Detroit in the search. Maybe he fled into the States.”

  “But how did he get across the border?”

  Hudson shrugged. His cell phone rang and he hit the talk button on his console to activate the bluetooth. “Steeves here.”

  The rain fell in sheets now, pounding the car.

  “Constable, help me.” The faint voice sounded out of breath.

  Golf-sized hail bounced off the hood.

  Hudson turned the wipers on full force, but it wasn’t enough to clear their view.

  Kaylin straightened in her seat, gripping the armrest until her fingers turned white. “Who’s this?”

  They swerved to miss a car in front of them as it slowed.

  “Blaine Ridley. He’s after me.”

  Hudson jerked his head back. “Who?”

  “Valentino.”

  * * *

  Hudson strained to hear. The static on the line was too loud and the pummeling hail didn’t help. “Where are you, Blaine?”

  Could it be true? The person they needed to find the most had called them? God had sent a gift. Maybe they could locate the chief and have this wrapped up by the end of the day.

  Please, Lord. Make it so.

  “In a cabin outside of Windsor. Close to Amherstburg, off County Road 20.”

  Hudson turned on his siren and flashing lights, moving in and out of the bridge’s traffic. “What markers can you give me? That’s a good stretch of road.”

  Forked lightning flashed in the distance.

  “There’s a red mailbox at the end of the long driveway. The cabin is back in the woods. Hurry.”

  “How do you know Valentino is after you?” Hudson pushed on the accelerator.

  “I have a friend who works closely with him. He tipped me off.”

  “How long ago?”

  “Twenty minutes. You’ve got to hurry or I’m dead. Come alone. I don’t trust anyone but you two.”

  Kaylin leaned forward. “Do you have my father?”

  He clicked off.

  Hudson swerved around a transport truck. The driver laid on the horn.

  The cruiser fishtailed, hydroplaning on the wet pavement.

  Kaylin grabbed the side of the door to steady herself until Hudson righted the vehicle. “This is the break we needed. It could lead us to Dad.”

  “I know. Valentino has a twenty-minute head start on us.” Hudson’s cell phone rang again. Bianca. He hit the button. “Talk to me, Bianca.”

  “Chief Harrison found remnants of the doda drug laced with fentanyl at the warehouse. Some were locked in a safe, so it survived the blast. And I did some checking and through some back channels I discovered the building was owned by Raison Industries.”

  Where had he heard that name before? He racked his brain trying to figure it out, but it lay hidden somewhere in the recesses of his mind like a lost piece to the puzzle.

  “One other thing.” Bianca interrupted his thought search. “We got a lead on Ridley. He was seen in Amherstburg.”

  “We know. He called and we’re headed there now. Tell Miller, but we’re going in alone. We don’t want to scare Ridley.”

  “Can we trust Miller?”

  Hudson tapped his thumb on the steering wheel. Could they? He didn’t have a choice at this point. “We have to.”

  “There’s a tornado warning out,” Bianca told them. “Stay safe.”

  Hudson disconnected the call.

  He honked at other cars to get them to move out of his way. They needed to cross the border and fast. He zipped in front of an SUV and sped through a law enforcement lane back into Canada, holding tight to the wheel. He headed toward County Road 20, picking up speed on the highway.

  “Watch out!” Kaylin yelled, pointing to a slowing truck ahead of them.

  He slammed the brakes on the slick highway and they lurched forward. At the last second, he swerved around the truck and right into oncoming traffic.

  Kaylin yelled.

  Hudson accelerated and pulled right, avoiding the cars just in time.

  Thank You, Lord. Keep us safe.

  He turned onto County Road 20, tires screeching at the sharp acceleration.

  “Slow down or we’ll never see the red mailbox.” Kaylin clutched her seat belt. “The rain is making it impossible.”

  He eased up on the gas and looked right and left, watching for the landmark that would take them to the cabin. The wipers screeched out a rhythm as they fought to keep the windshield clear.

  Ten minutes later, Kaylin pointed. “There!”

  A red mailbox lay on its side.

  Hudson took a sharp right turn onto the dirt road.

  “Turn off your siren. We should approach with caution.”

  “Agreed.” He flipped the switch, silencing the siren, and slowed down to enter the woods in stealth mode in case Valentino had already arrived.

  Evergreen and pine trees lined the road, giving privacy to the area. They rounded a bend and a log cabin came into view, with a porch wrapped along the side.

  “Nice place to visit for another reason.” Hudson crawled along the long driveway, looking in the woods for any signs of being watched. “It lo
oks empty. Maybe we beat him here.”

  “I get the feeling Valentino knows how to hide. He’s done it for how many years now?”

  “Good point.” He hit a rut in the dirt driveway, lodging the front tire deep and stopping their approach. He stepped on the gas, but the wheels only spun. Great. How would they make a quick getaway now? “We’re stuck. Stay alert.”

  Hudson grabbed two Kevlar vests and raincoats from the trunk. “Put these on. I want us to take all precautions.”

  He checked the sky through the trees. Funnel clouds formed in the distance. Lord, keep the tornado away from us. Rain assaulted them, drenching them within seconds. Even the wooded area didn’t shield them from the fierce weather.

  They both unholstered their weapons and crouched low, approaching the cabin while keeping their eyes peeled in every direction. Other than the storm, everything appeared quiet, but Hudson knew all too well that anyone could be hiding. Waiting. Ready to attack.

  He stepped onto the porch. It creaked. So much for stealth mode. He inched his way to the door with Kaylin behind him.

  The door opened and a bearded man beckoned them inside. “Hurry.”

  They rushed through the door.

  Blaine bolted it, pointing his gun at them. “Show me your credentials.”

  Hudson raised his hands. “Whoa now. You called us, remember?” He pulled out his badge, flashing it in his face.

  Kaylin did the same. “Where is my father?”

  “What?” He stuffed his weapon into the back of his pants. “I don’t have him.”

  “Give me your gun.” Hudson stretched out his hand.

  Blaine hesitated but gave him the weapon.

  Hudson shoved it in his waistband. He shook the rain off his coat. “Now tell us the truth. Where is Marshall Poirier?”

  The man gestured around the cabin. “Look around. I don’t have him.”

  Kaylin rushed him, grabbing his collar. “Then where is he?”

  “Probably with Valentino.”

  She released him.

  Hudson surveyed the room and checked for every possible exit, in case they needed to get out in a hurry. The living room housed a couch with timber legs, giving it a rustic feel. A rocking chair sat in one corner. The fireplace was positioned in the middle of the far wall with a bearskin rug in front of it. Seemed as if this was the perfect hunter’s oasis. “You own this place?”

  “Yes. Bought it a year ago to get away from the city life and Valentino.” He limped to the rocking chair and sat.

  Kaylin eased herself down on the end of the couch.

  Hudson took a position in the chair facing the door. “Tell us about your relationship with the man.” They needed to wrap this up before the storm worsened.

  “Will you give me immunity if I spill the beans on the drug ring?”

  Could Hudson bargain for information? He’d have to check with the prosecutor, but Blaine wasn’t the one they wanted. They needed to put Valentino behind bars. “Why should I help you? You tried to kill my nephew.”

  Blaine bit his lip, fidgeting with the button on his tight shirt. “I panicked when he wouldn’t cooperate. But, man, you need me. Without my testimony, Valentino will get away with everything.”

  Hudson hissed out a sigh. The man was right. They needed his help. “I’ll do my best. I promise.”

  “I want it in writing.”

  Hudson took out his cell phone and pressed Record. This was one interview he needed to tape. “Do you really want to go down for accessory to murder? Those teens died because of the drug you helped traffic. You’ll be fortunate if you get a reduced sentence.”

  The man’s knee bounced. “Fine. I’ll take my chances and go on your word. What do you want to know?”

  Kaylin stood and traced her fingers along the mantel. “How long have you been involved in this ring?”

  “Five years.”

  “How did Valentino recruit you?” Hudson asked as he wrote notes on his pad.

  “Through the dark web. I then brought in the Olivers. I know you have Lyle in custody, so he probably ratted on me.”

  Hudson snapped to attention. “How do you know that?”

  “Let’s just say we have someone on the inside.”

  Thunder shook the cabin and the wind howled as the branches slapped the windows.

  “Who?” Hudson asked.

  Blaine shrugged. “I don’t have a name. I just know that this person has been helping spy for Valentino to keep him one step ahead of the police and CBSA.”

  Hudson clamped his hands together. He suspected his boss, but was it true? The man had served his country for years. What would have turned him into a dirty cop? “So we know how you got the goods into the border, but how did you get it out again to the gang in the States?”

  “You haven’t figured that out yet? Thought you border patrol people were smart.”

  Kaylin erected her back and moved closer. “Tell us.”

  “We put the powder packages in crates along with household goods. Toasters, coffee makers, you name it.” He chuckled. “No one was the wiser.”

  “How many gangs are there within the organization?” Hudson said.

  “Five or six. Spread across the country, and one in Detroit.” He smiled, showing his graying teeth.

  Was he proud of what he’d done?

  Hudson’s face flushed. This man needed to be put away for his part in this. He hoped the prosecutor would not give him a deal. “Did you shoot Akio Lee and a man named Jake Shepherd? Did they send you to do their dirty work?”

  Suddenly Blaine popped out of the rocker. “Come on. We gotta leave before he gets here.”

  “Sit down,” Hudson said in a stern voice. “You’re not going anywhere until we know the entire truth.”

  Blaine plunked himself back into the rocker. “What else do you want to know?”

  “Did you or did you not kill those men?” Hudson was tired of this man’s attitude.

  “No! Valentino has a sniper at his disposal. I didn’t do it. I swear.”

  Could he believe him? After all, he was a criminal.

  Kaylin walked to the other side of the room and peered out the window. “Why did you try to kidnap me?”

  “Only following boss’s orders. Nothing personal.” He rubbed his wounded leg.

  The thought of what could have happened to Kaylin sent heat slamming through Hudson, but he pushed it aside. For now. “Do you have proof of how big this drug ring is? Proof that will help us stop it and put them all away?”

  He pulled out a flash drive. “Right here.”

  “What’s on it?”

  “Financials, buy-off videos, even footage of Valentino and the sniper he hired.”

  “Give it to me and we’ll consider helping you get a reduced sentence.” Hudson took it from Blaine’s hand and pocketed it. “Why help us now?”

  Blaine’s mouth curled downward. “Valentino betrayed me. Put a hit out on me because I failed to capture your girl here.” His gaze narrowed and turned to Kaylin.

  Hudson’s desire to protect her bubbled up again, bringing with it his previous feelings. “Get away from the window,” he told her. “You never know—”

  Glass cracked and a shot rang out from a distance, barely missing Kaylin. She dove to the floor and rolled, unholstering her weapon. Multiple bullets pelted the window, shattering it. Rain poured through.

  “Get down!” Hudson yelled to Blaine. He raised his Smith & Wesson and hugged the wall, inching his head toward the window.

  A figure skulked by the large oak tree in front of the cabin. How many more men were out there?

  “Olly Olly Oxen Free.” A voice boomed through a bullhorn. “Come out with your hands up.”

  Blaine raised his head. “That’s Valentino.”

  “Kaylin, check th
e back door. See if you catch sight of any more men.”

  She made her way to the rear, crouching low. “I see two men behind the trees.”

  “I know you’re in there, Constable Steeves and Officer Poirier. Give up your witness and I may let you live, especially if you want to save the chief’s life.”

  Hudson admonished himself. He should have called for backup.

  But he hadn’t wanted to risk losing the witness. Too late for that now. He pulled out his cell phone to call the Amherstburg police. The closest help. He glanced at his screen.

  No signal.

  The storm must have taken out the cell towers.

  Great, now what do we do, Lord? Show me.

  They couldn’t shoot their way out. It was too risky, and even though Kaylin was trained in weaponry, she wasn’t a policewoman. His only hope was that Bianca had told Miller and they had a team en route to their location. Or was Miller part of this? He cringed at the thought.

  “Time’s up.” Valentino’s laugh sent a chill up Hudson’s spine.

  Would this be how Hudson died? In a shootout? He glanced at Kaylin. Her wide eyes revealed fear, and something else.

  Did she feel it, too? He’d found her only to lose her to Valentino? Before Hudson had a chance to tell her how he felt?

  He gripped his weapon tighter.

  Protect us, Lord.

  Another shot rang out, splintering the wooden door.

  Hudson pointed his gun out the broken window and fired, while Kaylin broke the back window and got off two shots.

  Gunfire peppered the side of the cabin.

  They both hit the floor as the door burst open.

  David Rossiter stepped into the cabin, his gun raised. He shoved a hooded man through the entrance. “Now you all die.” He pulled the hood off.

  Kaylin gasped.

  “Daddy?”

  SEVENTEEN

  Kaylin scrambled to her father and pulled him into her arms. Her heartbeat thrashed inside her head at the sight of his bruised and swollen face. She feathered her finger over his cheek. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded. A tear slipped down his face. An abnormal action for the tenacious police chief.

  Kaylin’s muscles tensed as she gazed at the man who caused her father’s pain.