Christmas Justice

by Robin Perini

  Laurel’s eyes widened; she crawled toward him, rose and threw herself into his arms.

  “Did he say anything?” she whispered. “Give us any information?”

  Slowly Garrett shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

  “I understand.”

  But her voice held a resignation that Garrett didn’t like. She, too, realized the implications. If Ivy’s file didn’t give them the name of the person responsible, they were at a dead end. That could cost all three of them their lives.

  * * *

  THE BLACK ESCALADE backed out of sight of the sheriff’s office. Shep shoved the gear into Park and glared at Léon. “You should have taken the shot. Strickland was easy, but Bradley was in your sights twice. First when he orchestrated that harebrained scheme with the keys, then through the front door. You could have taken them both out.”

  His new partner shook his head. “The deputy would have been collateral damage. Plus, I saw movement inside through that front window.”

  “So what?”

  “The boss doesn’t want too many bodies that can’t be explained. I need to be able to take them out quick, and we have to move in and grab them...or they need to disappear.”

  “I didn’t hear that order.”

  “Well, I was told when I was brought on board to keep every job out of the papers and low-key. Killing a bunch of people in a sheriff’s office will make the news. Trust me, that’s how the boss wants it.”

  “Then how do you expect to get the job done?” Shep asked. This new guy was really starting to bug him. And his accent irritated the hell out of Shep.

  “I’ve got an explosive in the back of the truck that makes C-4 look like Play-Doh. Nothing for forensics to find. We follow them, get them together, blow the car and leave. It’ll burn so hot nothing is left. It’s cleaner. And we get rid of them all at once.”

  Shep drummed his fingers on the dash. “Explosives. That’s why the boss brought you in. Léon, I may like your style after all.”

  “Then we’re in agreement.” Léon peered through his binoculars. “Hmm...looks like we won’t have to make Strickland disappear. Our friendly neighborhood deputy’s hiding the body.”

  “Maybe he’s taking it to the morgue.”

  Léon shook his head. “Wrapped the guy in a blanket and dumped him in a pickup. They’re getting rid of the body.”

  “One less task for us to finish.”

  “One more reason to do this job right, because I refuse to be made into an example of my new boss’s desire for perfection.”

  * * *

  HONDO’S MOTEL ROOMS were simple, but comfortable. Laurel took a long, slow breath, but her nerves refused to settle. At least the chaos from outside had disappeared.

  The group of CTC operatives who had arrived had taken over the motel and the sheriff’s office and pretty much secured the entire town. No one went in or out without CTC knowing it.

  They’d searched for the man who’d shot Strickland, but the only lead was an unfamiliar black Escalade that had raced out of town. An expensive car carrying a sniper with a good eye.

  They’d be back.

  Laurel couldn’t feel completely safe, even with the armed guards at the door. The two men originally tailing her might be dead, but they’d been replaced. Someone wanted her, Molly and Garrett dead, not to mention they still hadn’t heard from her father.

  Laurel shifted backward and let her spine rest against the bed’s headboard. Molly crawled into her lap, resting against her chest. With a sigh, Laurel hummed the addictive ant song Garrett had sung the night before.

  Everything around this room seemed peaceful and safe, but Laurel could feel the tension knotting at the back of her neck. Her gut urged her to run, but she had nowhere to go.

  She had to trust Garrett and his friends.

  Molly picked at Mr. Houdini, rocking him slightly. She’d gone way too quiet after the latest attack. Would Molly ever be the same? Laurel knew she wouldn’t.

  Molly snuggled closer and squeezed her lion tightly, playing with its collar.

  A knock sounded at the door. Molly jerked in Laurel’s arms as the door opened. Laurel palmed her SIG and aimed it at the woman with black hair who stood on the motel’s porch. Behind her, Laurel recognized one of the CTC operatives standing guard.

  “Who are you?” she asked.

  “Raven Adams, Daniel’s wife. May I come in?”

  The man Garrett trusted so much. One more leap of faith.

  Laurel nodded and lowered the SIG, but kept it within reach.

  A large reddish-colored dog panted beside Raven. “How about my furry friend, Trouble?” She tilted her head toward her canine companion.

  Molly straightened a bit in Laurel’s lap and stared closely at the dog, which seemed to smile.

  “Come in,” Laurel said.

  The moment Raven crossed the threshold, Trouble bounded toward Molly, but he didn’t jump on the bed. He simply tilted his head and stared at the little girl, then put his big head down on the bed and looked up at Molly with sad brown eyes.

  “Your dog’s name is Trouble?” Laurel asked.

  Raven smiled. “It’s a long story. He gets more people out of trouble than into trouble, though.”

  Molly bit her lip and scooted off of Laurel’s lap. “Can I pet him?”

  “He’d like that,” Raven said. “He especially likes getting his ears rubbed.”

  Molly reached out a tentative hand and patted Trouble’s head. The dog’s tail thumped.

  “He likes me,” Molly said. She moved her fingers to his ears and scratched. The big dog leaned into her and practically groaned with pleasure.

  Molly slid off the bed. “He’s big.” Her lion in one arm, she wrapped her other around the big dog and hugged him. “I like you.”

  Raven held up a bag. “Have you had some of Hondo’s cookies? He likes you a lot, Molly, so he gave me a few cookies just for you.”

  Molly’s ears perked up even as she rubbed Trouble’s nose. “Chocolate chip?”

  “Is there another kind of cookie?” Raven opened the bag and passed a cookie to Molly. “Daniel and I wanted to invite Molly to take a ride on a plane and visit my house. I have a swing set in the backyard. It’s too big for my little girls, but it might be just Molly’s size.”

  Trouble rolled onto his back and Molly giggled, rubbing the dog’s belly. The smile that lit her eyes made Laurel’s heart ache.

  “She’d be safe with us,” Raven said.

  Laurel leaned down and patted Trouble. Then she stroked Molly’s hair. “When are you leaving?”

  “Daniel and Garrett are discussing their plans.”

  “Really?” Laurel crouched down in front of her niece. “Molly Magoo, I need to go speak with Sheriff Garrett. Do you want to stay here with Trouble?”

  Molly nodded.

  “Do you mind watching her for a few minutes?” Laurel asked Raven. “She’s had a rough time. If she needs me, I’ll be right outside.”

  Laurel started toward the door. Raven took one of Laurel’s hands. “You can trust Garrett. He’s one of the good ones.”

  Laurel studied the woman’s eyes and recognized the tortured memories of events gone by. Raven had seen things. Laurel looked back at Molly.

  “I’ll take good care of her. I almost lost my girls. I don’t take their safety for granted.” Laurel hesitated. “Look, I know you don’t know me from any woman off the street, but Garrett and Daniel saved my life and the lives of my children. There’s no one else I’d want in my corner if I were facing the devil himself.”

  Laurel met Raven’s gaze. “We’re in a lot of trouble. What if it follows Molly to you?”

  “More of Daniel’s organization will be stationed at my house. She’ll be well guarded. And Trouble will be there, too.”

  Laurel bit her lip. “I’ll think about it.”

  She walked out of the motel room. Several men with serious faces and equally impressive weapons prowled the area. One tipped his c
owboy hat at her. “Ma’am. The sheriff’s in the next room over.”

  Laurel walked in. Garrett sat next to Daniel Adams at a small table near the window, studying the screen of a laptop, deep in conversation.

  She strode over to them. “What have you found out from Ivy’s information?”

  Garrett lifted his head, but the guilt in his eyes gave him away. “We should talk about this later.”

  “I don’t like the secrets,” Laurel insisted. “Tell me.”

  He turned the laptop around and Laurel read through the first page. “This can’t be true.”

  “Ivy’s file makes a direct connection between your father and almost every agency leak. It connects gun running, selling of top secret documents and the movement of over a billion dollars into overseas accounts.”

  Laurel snatched the laptop from him and sat on the bed. She took in page after page. Her shoulders tensed at each new, damning word. “I don’t believe Ivy wrote this.” Laurel raised her gaze to meet Garrett’s. “This is the file I downloaded?”

  Garrett nodded.

  “She’s wrong. She has to be. If anyone saw this—”

  “Your father would be convicted of treason.”

  “He wouldn’t do any of this. And I’m not just being naive.” She lifted her chin and stared at Garrett.

  He knelt beside the bed and held her hand in his. “I don’t think so either, but I do believe someone else within the agency is setting him up. Just like me.”

  “What can we do? Strickland is dead.”

  Daniel cleared his throat. “After I spoke with Ransom Grainger, the head of CTC, about you, he let me in on some sensitive information. CTC has a contact buried deep in a covert operation within the agency. Ransom had been asked to investigate some irregularities within their overseas operations,” he said.

  “By who?”

  “Let’s just say it’s someone at the very highest levels of the government. There was a whistle-blower involved.”

  “Who?” Laurel asked.

  “James McCallister.”

  “Dad?”

  “I think this is why he hoped to solve my case,” Garrett said.

  “Daniel, can you help us identify who wants us dead? Maybe even find out what happened to my father?” Laurel asked. “Can CTC?”

  The CTC operative frowned. “Our informant hasn’t met face-to-face with the highest level in the organization yet. Evidently, whoever’s in charge keeps things very secret, so it’s delicate. Any contact with our operative and we risk his life. Too many questions and he’ll disappear. Others have.”

  “So, what do we do until then?” Laurel asked, rubbing the back of her neck to try to get rid of the headache threatening to escalate into agony. “Eventually that sniper will find a way to us. We can’t hide forever.”

  Garrett rose and looked down at her, his expression warning her she wouldn’t like whatever he was going to say. “That’s why I want you and Molly to disappear for a while with Daniel and Raven.”

  Laurel took in Garrett’s grim face. “You’ll come with us, though. You’re in danger, too.”

  “I can’t, Laurel. I’m going to—”

  “Get yourself killed,” Laurel finished.

  “I think I’ll leave you two to hash this out.” Daniel disappeared out the door, closing it behind him.

  Garrett plucked the laptop from her and brought her to her feet. He touched her cheek. “I’m going to find James and take this guy down, but I can’t focus on the mission if I’m worried about you and Molly. I don’t want you hurt, Laurel. Your father would want you out of the cross fire.”

  “That’s playing dirty.” She scowled at him, knowing exactly what he was doing and hating him for it.

  “I’m telling the truth.” He bent down and gently touched her lips with his own. “It has to be this way. For Molly. You know that.”

  Garrett laced his fingers with hers. She liked the way they intertwined, as if they were one. They’d known each other just a few days, and yet she felt as if they’d been together always. She didn’t want to lose him.

  “I don’t like it.”

  “But you’ll do it.” Garrett squeezed her fingers. “For Molly.”

  “For Molly.”

  With a soft peck on her lips, he walked to the door and opened it. “Daniel, I need transportation.”

  Daniel slipped a phone from his pocket. “To D.C.?”

  “That’s where this thing started. That’s where I’ll end it.”

  “Give me a couple of hours to get a plane here. You guys have been up all night. Rest. We’ll take care of things for a while.”

  “Thanks, Daniel. I owe you.”

  “We’re even now,” he said. “I’m going to find my wife.”

  Daniel closed the door on them and Garrett faced Laurel. She could hardly breathe. “I don’t like this. It feels wrong. I came to you. I caused you to lose everything.”

  Without hesitation, Garrett tugged her back into his arms. “You’re wrong. You brought me back to life, Laurel.”

  He stroked her arms, warming the chill that had settled all around her with the knowledge that this might be the last time he held her.

  “I’m afraid. For you.”

  “All I want is for you to be safe. That’s all James would want. This is your chance.”

  She could barely breathe. “Hold me, Garrett. Tight. Please.”

  “I’ll do more than that.” Garrett lowered his lips to hers and pressed them open.

  With a low groan she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her ear to his chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart, memorizing his scent, the feel of him, taking in every moment, terrified that soon it would be over. Soon he would be gone and she would have only this moment to cherish.

  When Garrett pulled back slightly, she couldn’t stop the moan of protest. But he didn’t let her go. He cupped her face this time, the kiss so very sweet, so very loving. So very scary. Like a goodbye.

  Without words, he scooped her into his arms and laid her down on the bed, spooning against her back.

  He threaded his fingers with hers, breathing in deeply. “If things were different, I would take you away. I would disappear with you. Believe that.”

  She brought his hand to her chest and squeezed tight. “I’m terrified. For you. For my father. So many people have died.” Laurel turned in his arms and touched his cheek, taking in each line of tension, each fleck of gold in his brown eyes. “I don’t want to lose you now that I’ve found you.”

  “I’ll do everything I can to bring your father home, Laurel.”

  “And you, too. I want you back, Garrett.” She clutched the front of his shirt. “You made me feel something these last few days. I’ve always believed I could only rely on myself. My father taught me that. But you— I feel like I can count on you. I want and need you in my life. Don’t die on me.”

  “I have a whole lot to live for these days,” he said softly. “I don’t want to leave you.” He pulled her closer, and she realized he’d never made a promise that he’d come back. For the first time, the easy lie didn’t trip off his lips.

  She felt the truth in every word.

  * * *

  GARRETT WATCHED LAUREL sleep for two hours. The rise and fall of her chest, the gentle smile on her face. He wanted nothing more than to take her away and make a new life for all of them, but he knew better. This would never be over, Laurel and Molly would never be safe, his family and Laurel’s family would never be avenged until the traitor in the organization was stopped.

  Garrett had said goodbye with every kiss, every touch, every caress. Knowing it might be for the last time, he slipped out of the bed with a sigh, pulled on his boots and walked out of the room.

  Laurel wouldn’t be surprised to awaken and find him gone, but she’d be furious. He knew they were lucky to have survived the past few days. Luck didn’t last forever.

  He closed the door quietly. Daniel stood on the porch of the Copper Mine Mote
l in a small pool of sunlight, Raven folded in his arms, a blanket wrapped around her.

  Several armed guards nodded at them. Daniel nodded back.

  “Any strangers in town?”

  “None. And no sign of the Escalade. It looks clear. For now.”

  “And Molly?”

  “Playing on my tablet, using Trouble as a pillow,” Raven said with a smile. “She’s a tough little thing. Not to mention a girl after my own heart, with her fondness for Hondo’s chocolate-chip cookies.”

  “How are Hondo and Lucy? And Keller?”

  Daniel frowned. “Lucy isn’t handling it well. Doc gave her a sedative. Keller’s going to recover, but he’s got a lot of questions.”

  “Poor Lucy. She’s been through hell. You know, I spent the last year in this town playing the waiting game when I wanted to be in the action. Now I’ve hurt the people who gave me their trust when they shouldn’t have. I don’t know how to make it up to them.”

  “You can catch whoever’s responsible and make them pay.” Hondo’s harsh voice came from around the corner. The big man looked devastated.

  “Hondo.” Garrett stilled. “I’m so sorry about you and Lucy—”

  The motel owner raised his hand. “You didn’t bring them here. They came after you. Lucy knows better than anyone that evil exists. Her ex-husband’s beatings damaged her brain and left her with a childlike innocence. Then a few months ago she was shot and nearly killed. She sees the truth now, though.” Hondo handed over another bag of cookies. “Give these to Molly. Lucy wants her to have them. She wouldn’t let herself sleep until I brought them out here.”

  “Again, I’m so sorry.”

  “Sheriff, you want to make it up to me? Take care of those men, then come back. Obviously Trouble needs a lawman who knows how to handle more than just old man Crowley’s drinking binges. We need good men around here, and that’s what you are. So get it done.”

  Hondo disappeared back behind the screen door, then closed and locked it.

  Garrett exhaled slowly, shoved his hands into his pockets and looked at Daniel. “I left everything I know about this case on a disk in the top drawer in the hotel room. If I don’t come back...use your best judgment.”