Border Breach

by Darlene L. Turner

  David Rossiter was Valentino? She stared into his evil eyes and shuddered. One thought raced through her mind.

  They were going to die.

  He’d never let them go.

  She glanced at Hudson, holding his gaze. Would she be able to tell him how she felt?

  Or ask her father for his forgiveness? She realized now that she’d held on to her anger for too long.

  She stood and inched her way over to Valentino. “How could you kill your own son?”

  The man stiffened. “I never thought he would take the new stuff.” He raised his gun higher, eyes determined. “Enough about me. Both of you, throw your weapons on the floor.”

  Kaylin dropped her gun and kicked it away from her.

  Hudson rose to his feet, casting his weapon aside. “Wait. Now it fits together. You work for Raison Industries. I saw your portfolio at the hospital. I knew that sounded familiar when I heard Raison Industries owned the warehouse. You funded your operation through your company. Why did you need more money? Are you that greedy?”

  A man entered from the back of the cabin.

  “Secure the prisoners,” Valentino ordered him. He walked closer to Hudson. His eyes flashed. “I have my own reasons.”

  His spindly lackey secured Hudson’s hands and shoved him into a chair. And then did the same to Blaine.

  Hudson pulled at his restraints. “Why not tell us everything? You’re going to kill us anyway.”

  “Fine. I told you about my daughter, Charlotte.” His cold eyes softened.

  Kaylin didn’t miss the love for his child flash on his face. Wait—Charlotte was blind. From birth. It hit her. “You were paying for some kind of new treatment, weren’t you?”

  He blinked. “It was the only way.”

  “So you sacrificed one child for the other?”

  He shoved his gun’s barrel into her temple. “Don’t you dare talk about my children.”

  “And now we all pay the price.” Her lips curled upward. “You’re a coward.”

  He slapped her across the cheek and shoved her into a chair, securing her hands behind her.

  The blow stung, but she refused to show fear.

  Her father stumbled to his feet. “Don’t you touch my daughter.”

  Hudson struggled in his restraints. “Leave her alone.”

  Valentino marched over to where Hudson sat and shoved his gun to his heart. “How touching. Two men love you, Officer Poirier. How about I end their lives and let you watch? Your punishment for not staying out of my business.”

  Hudson raised his chin. “Go ahead. If you don’t, I’ll make you pay for hurting her.”

  Valentino pistol-whipped him in the head.

  Hudson slumped forward.

  Kaylin wobbled in her chair. “No! It’s me you want.”

  Blaine whimpered. It was the first noise he’d made since Valentino had burst through the door. She’d almost forgotten his presence.

  “Valentino, let me go,” Blaine said. “It’s these guys you want. I promise I won’t rat on you. After all, I’ve been a diligent employee, doing your dirty work.”

  Valentino pointed the gun in Blaine’s direction. “Shut up, you useless tool of a man. I know what you were going to do. Betray me. No one does that and gets away with it.”

  Blaine raised his hands. “I didn’t. I’m faithful to the cause.”

  “Hardly.” He pulled a walkie-talkie from his pocket. “Do it.”

  Who was he talking to? His sniper? Kaylin bristled. Who would they kill? She glanced at Hudson.

  Their gaze met and he tilted his head, mouthing, “I’m sorry.”

  “This is what happens to people who betray me,” Valentino said.

  “Don’t do it, Rossiter.” Would she lose the man she loved? And her father, too?

  Lightning flashed, illuminating the darkened skies. Then the lights flickered as a blast rang out, booming through the woods and into the cabin.

  Blaine dropped. Shot in the temple. Blood pooled around his fallen body.

  Assassin style. The same sniper who took out Akio and Jake.

  “Who’s out there?” Kaylin shouted at their captor.

  “Something you haven’t figured out yet.”

  “Why did you have Akio Lee and Jake killed? What did they do to you?”

  Valentino sneered. “Akio was a liability. Collateral damage. Jake? He just got in the way. My sniper followed you and took him out.”

  “Tell us about your empire.” Her father sat straighter. “When did it start?”

  “Years ago, when I began working at Raison Industries. Management liked my ideas and soon promoted me. They gave me a raise, but I wanted more, so I started selling heroin. I rose to the top with my drug sales and began recruiting men to work under me.”

  “What other type of drugs did you sell?” Kaylin spotted her gun on the floor. Could she get to it before anyone noticed? She eyed the man standing guard at the exit. Too risky. She’d never get a shot off before he took her out.

  “Cocaine, fentanyl. You name it.”

  “Why doda?” she asked.

  “To add to my list of goods. There was a demand for it among the Asian community.”

  “But why lace it with fentanyl? You’re killing teenagers. Doesn’t it bother you to see teens die, especially your son?”

  He shook his head. “Benji was stupid. He liked his drugs and just took too much at once.”

  “That’s rich coming from you, a drug kingpin.” Kaylin shimmied her hands, trying to once again loosen the ropes.

  “Enough talk. Who do you want to die first?” He shoved the gun into her father’s chest. “Your dear old dad?” He pointed to Hudson. “Or your boyfriend? You choose.”

  Forgive your father.

  The thought raced through her mind like a whisper from God. Could she forgive him after all the hurt he had caused? She eyed the man before her. Yes, he had betrayed her all those years, but that didn’t define her. Not anymore, since she’d become a Christian. Diane had told her that her Heavenly Father commanded them to forgive. Seventy times seven.

  She sat upright. She wouldn’t let bitterness consume her any longer. For what life she had left, she would be free. Free of guilt. She had to tell her father before it was too late. “Daddy, can you forgive me for hating you all these years?”

  Marshall Poirier contorted his face. “Only if you can forgive me.”

  She nodded. “I do love you.”

  “Enough.” Valentino rushed over and slapped her across the face. “Shut up.”

  Her lip stung as blood flowed down her chin. Iron filled her mouth and she spat it out. She would not kowtow to this man. She’d made her peace. Whatever happened next was up to her Heavenly Father. God’s got this.

  She knew Hudson would hate seeing her hurt, but she didn’t expect his next move. Mustering all his strength and emitting a growl, he lunged out of the chair and headbutted the man standing next to him.

  Kaylin took the opportunity and dove for her weapon, knowing it was her last chance. But Valentino reacted, kicking her hard in the ribs. She stumbled backward.

  The lights went out again in the raging storm and the door burst open. She heard a voice shout, “Stand down. Both of you.”

  Kaylin halted in her tracks and Hudson froze as they looked at the intruder.

  Bianca stood in the doorway, her sniper’s gun pointed at them.

  * * *

  Hudson’s jaw dropped and he wiggled his hands in the ropes, trying to free himself. To think the woman he worked with every day had sold them out. “Bianca? How could you?”

  Her lip curled. “Why do you think? Money, of course.”

  Valentino laughed. “It was the perfect relationship. I paid her big bucks and she did my dirty work for me.”

  “How el
se do you think he was able to stay one step ahead of you?” Bianca asked. “I fed him information, all the while casting suspicion onto Miller. I put the hit out on Kaylin through the dark web. Kept feeding them her cell numbers. I also hired the nurse to take out Percy Brown.” Bianca walked over to him and stuck her M24 rifle in Hudson’s chest. “Don’t move or I will shoot.”

  He stood his ground. “How could you betray your country?”

  “Money talks.”

  Heat rose to his cheeks as anger threatened to bubble over. Why did he not suspect her? Was he that bad a cop? No, she was just that good at playing the game. Once again, he was duped by a female and this one would cost him his life. And Kaylin’s, if he couldn’t come up with a plan to save them all. He still had the flash drive in his pocket. Proof of Valentino’s drug empire.

  Would he live to show the world?

  Lord, give us both strength to fight this. Show me a way.

  He had to keep them talking, so he could think of a plan. “How did we not know you were a sniper?”

  “Once Valentino recruited me, I took training in my spare time. He needed not only an informant but a sniper. I was up for the task.”

  He snarled. “You disgust me.”

  “Sit down.” She shoved him back in the chair. Water dripped off her soaked coat, leaving a puddle on the floor. “Oh, by the way, the cavalry’s not coming. Miller doesn’t suspect a thing.”

  Great. He’d hoped his boss would be his saving grace.

  What now?

  They were outnumbered and his hands were tied. And they were in a cabin in the middle of the woods.

  Secluded.

  In a storm.

  He’d appeal to Bianca. It was their only chance.

  He looked up at her. “Stop doing this. Help us bring Valentino down and end this madness. You’ve done so much good in helping us solve cases. Don’t throw your career away.”

  “What makes you think I won’t keep working with the forensic unit? Once you three are eliminated, no one will be the wiser.”

  She was going to kill them all.

  Hudson turned to Valentino. “Why put more blood on your hands?”

  “You don’t get it, do you, Hudson?” Bianca waved the gun in his face. “He doesn’t do the killing. I do. He just runs the business, brings in the money.”

  “Did you also bomb the warehouse and my cruiser? I know Lyle set the flower shop on fire.”

  She shook her head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I framed him. Put his fingerprints on the can. Clever of me, right? I also learned how to build bombs. I’m one smart girl.”

  “That’s why I hired her.” Valentino’s evil laughed filled the room. “Lyle was getting greedy. We needed to get him out of the picture, so setting him up worked out well.”

  “You both make me sick,” Hudson said. “One day you’ll trip up and the cops will take you down.”

  Valentino shoved the gun into his belly. “I have too much power at Raison Industries. I’ve hidden my business this long.”

  “Do they know?”

  “How do you think I moved up the ladder? They like all the business I’ve done and now they’re scared of me. They turn a blind eye.”

  Marshall shifted in his chair. “You’ll never get away with this. Don’t you think they’ll come looking after they find the police chief, his daughter, who is a CBSA officer, and a police officer dead?”

  “He’s right. Lyle will help take you down,” Hudson said. “We have him in custody.”

  Bianca laughed. “Not for long. He’ll commit suicide. Sorrow over the loss of his precious wife. I will see to that.”

  Valentino sneered. “And after, she’ll take out your nephew for getting in the way. And your sister. We need to prove to everyone that no one messes with the drug kingpin in this city.”

  “No! Leave them out of this.” Hudson squirmed. Too many lives were at stake, but how could he stop Valentino’s evil plan and save those he loved?

  He needed to overtake one of them and grab a gun.

  It was their only chance.

  He joggled his fingers, trying to free the ropes from his wrists. This time they loosened.

  Almost there.

  He caught Kaylin’s eye and tilted his head toward Valentino. She must stall him. Create a diversion so Hudson could act. Would she get his meaning?

  One more minute and his hands would be free. He twisted hard, the rope cutting into him. He ignored the pain. Finally, he wiggled out of them but kept his hands behind his back to give the illusion he was still tied up.

  Kaylin cleared her throat. “David, don’t do this. Let us go. We’ll help you get the assistance you need for your daughter. I promise.”

  He turned and hauled her out of the chair. “Like you’ll really do that. Nice try.”

  Kaylin shoved him—hard—and he stumbled back.

  That was Hudson’s cue.

  He leaped out of his chair and plowed into Bianca, knocking the gun from her hands.

  Marshall threw himself toward Valentino’s henchman, but he raised his gun.

  Before he could pull the trigger, a shot fired and the gunman dropped.

  “Valentino. Bianca. You’re surrounded.” Sergeant Miller’s voice boomed through the bullhorn.

  The cavalry was here. How, Hudson didn’t know, but he was thankful.

  He grabbed Bianca’s rifle from the floor and aimed it at her. “Stay there.”

  Once more Kaylin charged at Valentino. They collided, the gun falling from his grip.

  Peter Miller, followed by a handful of other officers, rushed through the splintered door. “Police! Stand down.”

  Bianca raised her hands, but, undaunted, Valentino shoved Kaylin aside and stood. “You’ll never take me alive.”

  He pulled a gun from the back of his pants and raised it toward Kaylin.

  Hudson dove in front of her as the shot boomed, the sound resonating throughout the small cabin.

  His neck burned like a bee sting. His hand flew to his wound, and he felt blood oozing through his fingers.

  He struggled to stay upright as a deafening sound echoed around them. A train rumbling the cabin.

  No, it was a tornado swirling around them.

  Lord, save us.

  Though he called out to his Father, darkness called out to him.

  He fought it, but it was too powerful.

  He crumpled to the floor.

  * * *

  “No!” Kaylin scrambled for the gun in the corner.

  Valentino raised his weapon once again, his finger moving on the trigger. His intense gaze revealed his intentions.

  He would kill them. She needed to act before it was too late.

  She took aim and fired.

  A bullet slammed into Valentino’s chest.

  He snapped his gaze her way and she saw something flash in his eyes. Regret? Perhaps only for a second.

  He clutched his heart and collapsed, his lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling.

  The tornado tore the porch off the front of the cabin. The wood flew in different directions.

  Tears coursed down her cheeks. Tears for Hudson. Tears for her father. Tears for herself.

  They’d survived Valentino, but now the storm would take them all. There was nowhere to run.

  She slid to the floor.

  Her father scrambled to her, pulling her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Pumpkin. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Daddy.” Years of regret coursed through her veins and then a wave of peace washed over her. The same peace she’d felt in the boathouse. God’s peace.

  It was all she needed.

  Her father rocked her as she sobbed, holding her tight. She drew in a forced breath, waiting for the end.

  And then—

&nb
sp; Silence.

  The tornado slithered around the cabin, then left them unharmed.

  “Kaylin?” Hudson’s whisper beckoned to her. He’d come back to consciousness.

  She rushed to his side and examined his body. The bullet had grazed his neck, just above the Kevlar vest. She hugged him. “Thank you for saving me. You didn’t leave me.”

  “Never.” He caressed her cheek. “Valentino?”

  “I shot him. He’s dead.” Her lip quivered. She could hardly believe she’d killed a man.

  “I’m so sorry you had to do that.”

  “He would have killed us all.” Of that, she was certain. “The tornado passed us by.”

  “God is good.” He looked around the cabin. “How’s the chief?”

  Her father patted his shoulder. “I’m right here, Steeves. Thank you for saving my daughter.”

  Sergeant Miller cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re all okay. You had us worried.”

  Hudson eased himself up, still clutching Kaylin. “How did you know where to find us?”

  “We followed Bianca.”

  “But how did you know about her? She fooled me.” Hudson’s face contorted. “She made me believe it was you.”

  “I began to suspect someone at our station was feeding Valentino information. There were too many coincidences. That’s why I was so secretive. I couldn’t trust anyone, so I did some investigating on my own. I narrowed it down to her and when I couldn’t get a hold of you, I knew something was wrong. We tailed her and she led us here.” He walked over and poked her shoulder. “You’re going down for murder.”

  She snarled. “You can’t prove it.”

  Hudson pulled the flash drive out of his pocket. “Yes, we can. Everything is on this. Blaine paid with his life to get it to us.”

  Miller grabbed her arm and cuffed Bianca. “You’re done.”

  Kaylin jumped up. “Wait, there’s another man outside.”

  “We got him. He’s restrained in the back of our cruiser. The scene is secure. I’ll go radio for an ambulance. If the tornado left my cruiser out there. Sit tight. Chief, help me with this one?” Together they hauled Bianca out the door, leaving Kaylin and Hudson alone.