Black and White Truth (The Syndicate-Born Trilogy Book 2)
Page 16
Henry stood watching the two of them like they were his favorite soap opera.
Sally’s gaze rose to meet Jason’s, and something inside him melted. She’d lost his trust, but his heart seemed to be a little slow on the uptake. This problem belonged to them both, and he didn’t have the luxury of time to figure out if he could trust her or not. Her gaze softened and her lips parted, and he knew if he asked her, she would be his. At that moment, he realized he wanted her, too.
He tried to stand up as she closed the space between them.
Henry watched the silent exchange but said nothing.
Jason could feel his heavy gaze watching their every move. He had to remember to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself for now.
Katherine always said I had a horrible poker face.
“He needs a bath, Sal.” Henry didn’t stick around for a response. He walked out of the room and out the front door.
Sally put Jason’s arm around her neck and helped him get back to his feet.
Her touch set him off. All he could think about was kissing her, but it was neither the time nor the place for that.
She helped him get into the bathroom, and filled the tub with hot water bubbles.
Jason felt a little foolish about getting into a bubble bath.
“I put Epsom salt in there. That should help.” She avoided his gaze.
As she turned to walk out, he grabbed her hand so that she would turn to face him. “Thank you.”
Sally nodded and worried her top lip. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
With great care, Jason stepped into the steaming hot bath. The claw foot tub took up the entire back wall of the bathroom. It was the first time his long legs had ever fit into a bathtub without it being comically painful. He sighed and slid down into the inviting water.
His tired mind wandered and he found himself thinking of Sally. He was so far gone that he didn’t think he would ever come out of the depth of his affection for her. It was more than just the sex, and he knew it. Despite everything, he still wanted to believe that she was a good person.
But his blind faith was a personality flaw that had left him burnt more times than he could count.
I need to grow up and stop being so naive.
***
MDNA Headquarters
Unknown Location
July 22, 2025
2:00 PM
~~~
Ash sat in his car outside the headquarters for MDNA—his family. The others had canceled his security access codes all ready. He would be on his own from now on because he would never again be able to walk through those doors. All because of that pompous boss man, who ruined his career and took his mother from him. As long as Ash lived, he would try and find a way to make the man pay for everything he took from him.
He tapped his wrist device and pulled up his latest text message from Manny. At least the watch still worked.
We need your hacking help to find the detective.
He turned on the car, programmed in the coordinates the device said the message had been sent from, and the car mapped out the route.
“Route clear. Will arrive at destination at approximately 2:25 PM. Awaiting clearance to begin trip.”
“Begin route, please.” Ash stretched out in the car and turned on his mini hacking device, something he’d made several years ago.
Using his signature codes and passes, he quickly broke into Mr. Richards’ network. They were working on a map, trying to link up past members of the organization with their holdings. He read through all the notes so he would be prepared when he arrived. He knew the area they were researching quite well. He’d spent his summers in Buffalo Gap with his gram and pops.
With a few quick hacks, he pulled up satellite footage of the cabin in question. It was anything but empty.
Well, at least I won’t have to show up empty handed now.
***
Yellow Hat Cabin
Millboro, Virginia
July 22, 2025
6:30 PM
~~~
Jason sat at his makeshift desk staring at the keys of the typewriter. Despite being a total geek about new technology, he loved the old-fashioned device. He had rediscovered the thrill of feeling the keys beneath his fingers.
As young man, he wrote all of his stories on an old red electric typewriter. He loved it even though the z key would stick. There was something about the feel of the keys and the sound of the hammer hitting the paper.
His fingers lovingly touched each letter and symbol. It seemed so wrong to be using such a beautiful thing to create something so ugly and false. Now if he could just figure out how to get out of the hole he had put himself in.
***
Henry leaned against the wall, watching Sally tap away at her watch. At first he thought it was only a nervous tick, but as former radio operator he recognized the taps as Morse code.
Well, isn’t that clever.
Sally’s bravery continued to surprise him. The innocent message told its receiver that they were okay, for now.
Why doesn’t she have her friends break them loose?
Henry crossed his arms over his chest. Maybe he could use this bit of tech to help her and the others in overthrowing the new boss. The group needed to gain control back from the entitled Virginia blue bloods—especially the newest psychopath.
He would need to be careful, though, considering the new guy had no qualms about killing off family members as a way of keeping folks in line.
Henry didn’t know much, but he could tell Sally about the compound and the name of the one man who could make a difference. Finally, his tenure with The Syndicate would be put to good use. Maybe he could even take the reins for once.
***
Church Hill Neighborhood
Richmond, Virginia
July 22, 2025
6:30 PM
~~~
Manny and the others managed to establish a visual confirmation through satellite footage that Katherine’s old cabin was, indeed, being used. The problem now was that the rain had washed out all the roads going into the cabin. The weather people said the storm included hurricane-level rainfall with no immediate end in sight. For now, they had no way of getting out there.
They couldn’t use the police’s help, since they were obviously working for The Syndicate. The police had told Ellie, Marianna, and Manny the cabin remained unoccupied. The FBI had told Manny they wouldn’t be able to offer any assistance until they could confirm their theories.
“We’re on our own,” Manny said.
Ash pulled up some of the recent research about the current dealings of The Syndicate and handed Manny a list. “Here’s three possible locations for their headquarters, where they’re likely holding Marianna.”
Manny stood up and stumbled out to the covered back patio to smoke, and Ellie followed him, leaving Ash to continue monitoring the intermittent satellite feed of the cabin. The night air smelled of rain.
Ellie closed the patio door behind her. “We can’t do this alone, Manny.”
He leaned against one of the posts and scratched the sparse tuft of hair on the top of his disappearing hairline. “I know, Ellie,” he snapped. “I’m sorry. I... I just have to find her.”
Ellie crossed the distance between them in a few strides and placed her hand on his slumped shoulder. The two friends embraced, each needing something safe to hold on to.
“We’ll find them, Manny.”
***
Yellow Hat Cabin
Millboro, Virginia
July 22, 2025
7:00 PM
~~~
The sound of typing once again filled the cabin, competing against the pitter pat of rain hitting the tin roof. Sally’s body hummed like it always did in a thunderstorm, the energy in the air palpable. The little weather radio said the roads were washed out. For the time being, no one could come or go from the cabin, which meant they wouldn’t be getting any new supplies.
Sa
lly began to ration the food to be safe. She made chicken noodle soup for dinner—a fitting meal on such a dismal cold summer evening. After dinner, she washed the dinner dishes and was listening to Jason as he resumed his typing, when suddenly rough hands grabbed her from behind. She yelped as she was thrown against the wall.
His mouth captured hers while his large hands held hers in place over her head.
Henry! Why is he doing this?
As the initial shock wore off, she felt his right thumb tapping hard against her watch and then her wrist. It was the same pattern over and over again: he was sending her a Morse code message.
Roy, the other goon, was standing outside the door watching them.
Sally tried to calm herself so she could make out the message. His kiss became less insistent, and she finally registered the message and pushed him away with her body.
He looked at her, waiting for her to acknowledge that she had understood.
She offered a nearly imperceptible nod.
“I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Ye ain’t that great a kisser,” Henry said in his gruff baritone voice.
Sally touched her cheek, raw from his stubble. She felt like she’d be sick.
I can’t keep doing this anymore.
To Henry’s credit, he didn’t seem all too pleased with what had transpired either, and gave her a look of apology before returning to character. She caught him giving Roy a fist bump as they went out on the porch together.
Sally held onto the sink as the first wave of nausea rolled over her. Her mouth watered and her skin became clammy as she vomited her dinner into the sink. Tears slid down her cheeks as she poured herself a glass of water and curled up in her chair by the window. Tapping the sides of her watch, she sent out a message to Jude—the location of the detective and the Tidy Killer, plus the name of a trusted law enforcement officer.
***
Church Hill Neighborhood
Richmond, Virginia
July 22, 2025
7:30 PM
~~~
Manny and Ellie sat in the living room sipping beer and reminiscing about their days with the Bureau, when his phone buzzed with an incoming message.
A friend of mine who is in the know, shared some interesting information with me about a good friend of yours. We’re watching a cool band tonight at the joint you like to go to all the time.
Manny jumped up from his seat with a start. “Shit.”
“What is it?” Ellie put down her half empty bottle and stood up.
“Looks like I might have another source.” Manny pulled his glasses down to sit at the tip of his nose and started to pat his pockets.
Where did I leave my keys?
Ellie crossed her arms over her chest. “How do you know this isn’t some trap to stop you from looking into this any further?”
“I don’t, Ellie. A cop never really knows. Sometimes you just have to get by on your wits and your idiot gauge, and mine is telling me to check out this source.” He picked up his jacket and patted the pockets. “Ah-ha!” He pulled out the keys and tossed them in the air—catching them one-handed. “If I’m not back by tomorrow, call Mike at the DC office.”
***
Bella’s Cafe
Stafford, Virginia
July 22, 2025
8:30 PM
~~~
Manny sat in his car with his hands shaking on the steering wheel. His heart ached for his wife, who had always been his touchstone. She had always let him know if he’d been doing something stupid—his conscious and voice of reason. From now on, it was only him and his idiot gauge, and that terrified him.
He took a deep breath and stepped out into the cool night air. He was glad the rain had stopped momentarily. The café had a popular band playing and was wall-to-wall people. He lifted his hand in greeting to the owner, who nodded back to him.
As he passed the restrooms, he felt the back of his shirt being tugged.
The man in a hoodie pulled him into the single men’s restroom and locked the door.
Manny stood so that he was between the door and the hooded stranger, comforted by the weight of his weapon resting against his hip.
The hooded stranger turned on a pocket scanner. Once the room came back empty for surveillance equipment or smart dust, he lifted off the hood. The young man, early thirties, with mocha-colored skin and honey-colored eyes, was jumpy.
This, in turn, unnerved Manny. “What do you have, son?”
The young man started to reach into his pocket, and Manny’s hand shifted to rest on the top of his weapon.
The man put his hands up in surrender. “I have it all written down.” He pointed down to his pants pocket. “It’s just a note.”
Manny held his gun in his right hand, reached into the boy’s pocket, and pulled out a slip of paper with smeared ink across it. Coordinates were scrawled on the back, to one of the three suspected locations.
“Are you safe, son?” Manny asked with sincere concern.
The boy nodded and put the hoodie back on.
Manny stepped aside to let him out of the bathroom. After a minute of two, he went out through the back and pulled out his lighter. First, he lit a cigarette, and then he lit the note. He watched the paper float along the night air before putting itself out in a puddle.
Manny texted Ellie a quick update, knowing she would be worried if he didn’t.
Got what I came for and will be heading back to your place soon.
Ellie messaged back almost immediately.
Good to know. I’ve been worried.
Manny put out the cigarette against the building, and checked his phone to see if the roads up to the cabin were still closed.
Of course they’re closed!
To make matters more complicated, another storm loomed.
Damnit!
Chapter 14
Yellow Hat Cabin
Millboro, Virginia
July 23, 2025
7:00 AM
~~~
The early morning light crept in through the cracks in the threadbare curtains hanging in the front room. The constant clicking and clacking of the keys had kept Sally awake most of the night.
Jason had refused to take any more pain medication because he said it knocked him out and gave him nightmares.
It took her a second to realize that the noise had now stopped.
When she opened the door to the bedroom, she was pleased to see that Jason finally slept. She crept into the room and covered him up with the wool blanket that sat on the edge of the bed. He looked so peaceful—it reminded her of when Zane was small and she would watch him sleep.
Zane....
She missed him so much it hurt. It had only been two months since she sent him into hiding, but it seemed like a lifetime. She adored her son and was proud of him, even if she didn’t understand the projects he worked on. All she knew was he was trying to work on some medical breakthrough that would revolutionize emergency medicine. Or at least that’s what he and his colleagues told her. Being the proud mama she was, she carried one of his prototypes around with her at all times. She pulled out the blue pill-shaped object now and held it in the palm of her hand to reassure herself it was still there.
He’s okay. He’s okay. I’m okay. We’re okay.
Sally touched the tuft of hair standing up on Jason’s head and brushed it aside. She hoped he slept for a while—a sleep not drug-induced. Not wanting to wake him, she backed out of the room and closed the door with great care.
***
Unknown Building
Unknown Location
July 23, 2025
7:00 AM
~~~
Mari wavered in and out of consciousness. She couldn’t feel her body—feel anything really—and that should bother her, but it didn’t. She didn’t have a care in the world. She probably had the nice doctor to thank for that. Someone had come in and changed her IV, too. She was grateful for whatever concoction the clear bag contained.
/> Through her blurry eyes, and before she drifted back into a drug-induced sleep, she made out the white lines of her casted legs held in traction in front of her.
***
Church Hill Neighborhood
Richmond, Virginia
July 23, 2025
7:00 AM
~~~
Ellie crept down the stairs, not wanting to wake anyone who might still be asleep. She was surprised to see Manny sitting in the kitchen flipping through Jason’s Atlantis. “Have you been up all night?”
He looked up at her with eyes sunken and bruised black from no sleep. “Yeah.”
“Manny—”
“Don’t, Ellie.” He held up his hand to stop her.
She looked at him for another second, then turned around to pour herself a cup of coffee. She brought the pot over and topped off Manny’s cup, too. “Any new information?”
“Rain is supposed to let up some time tonight. We should be able to get out to the cabin and the abandoned warehouse sometime tomorrow afternoon. We’ll have to take a truck.” He sipped his coffee and grimaced.
“Will the FBI be helping or are we completely on our own?” The storms had brought in a cold front, and she cupped her hands on the hot cup of coffee to warm them.
“I’m waiting to hear back. I think they’ll help.” He stopped to take another sip of his coffee. “Especially with our new intel.”
“And if they won’t?”
“Then I’ll go alone.” He held up his hand to stop her protest before it even left her mouth. “I won’t put you and the boy in danger.”
Ellie knew him well enough to know that nothing she could possibly say would change his mind. He had always been a stubborn old mule, and it was oddly comforting that he hadn’t changed too much over the years.
“Can you promise me that you won’t try and come after me?”
She sighed. “Yes. Ash and I can keep an eye on the cabin. I’ll call you if anything changes.”
Manny surprised her by wrapping his arms around her and hugging her. “Thank you, Ellie.”
***
Yellow Hat Cabin
Millboro, Virginia
July 23, 2025
11:00 PM
~~~
A shiver rippled through Jason as he typed the last word for the latest chapter, not just because of the cold that the draughty cabin couldn’t keep out—it was hard to write this sham sober.