The TANNER Series - Books 13-15 (Tanner Box Set)

by Remington Kane

  Deke Mercer had been wounded in the torso, and so Sean was off to the seventh floor. As he stepped back onto the elevator, he played with the knife in his pocket.

  ***

  While Sean was getting on an elevator headed for the seventh floor, Alexa was stepping off of one on that very floor.

  She was carrying a present for Deke, a cactus that she had bought in the hospital gift shop. Although the plant was thorny, it was beautiful and would require little care. Alexa followed the signs to Deke’s room number and saw that it was near the nurses’ station. Alexa thought that was good, if Deke needed anything, his nurse would be nearby.

  Deke was sitting up in bed but was asleep when she entered, and Alexa had a chance to observe him without being noticed. She had to fight back tears when she saw how small he looked. His injury, combined with the surgery, and his battle with infection had left Deke looking shrunken.

  As Sean had surmised it would be, Deke’s room was full of flowers and get well wishes, many of them were sent by the people who had been in the cafeteria with Deke when the attack occurred.

  As Alexa set the plant on the table beside his bed, Deke’s eyes opened. When he saw who had come to visit him, a wide smile appeared, and he spoke to her in a weak voice.

  “Hello, pretty lady.”

  Alexa leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

  “How do you feel, Deke?”

  “I feel better now that I’m seeing you, and I’ll heal.”

  Deke’s voice was raspy, and Alexa grabbed a cup that had a built-in straw. After he took a few sips of water, Alexa was pleased to see that Deke’s voice sounded stronger. He spoke to her again when he pointed at the cactus.

  “Thank you for the gift. I like cactus.”

  Alexa looked at the plant and frowned when she noticed that there was dust on the pot the plant was in. She then looked down at her hands and saw that some of the dirt had transferred there.

  “I have to wash my hands, but then I’ll sit and visit with you.”

  “You’ve made my day by coming here, Alexa.”

  Alexa sent Deke a smile and then walked into the adjacent bathroom, but left the door open since she only needed to wash her hands. She had taken the plant into the room with her, so that she could remove the rest of the dust from its ceramic pot.

  She cleaned her hands, dampened some toilet paper, and began cleaning the pot. When she heard someone enter the room, Alexa assumed that it was a nurse, or perhaps another visitor.

  But, Alexa felt a sudden sense of uneasiness. When Deke asked a question, it was answered, and Alexa was immediately on alert.

  “Who are you?”

  “Who am I? I’m the man whose friends you helped to kill last week, and I’m here for payback.”

  Alexa peeked around the bathroom door and saw a man in his thirties with short brown hair. An instant later, a knife appeared in the man’s right hand.

  Alexa, who only wanted to live a life of peace going forward, was unarmed. She looked about the bathroom, searching desperately for something to use as a weapon. She saw nothing, but knew she had to act before it was too late.

  She moved silently towards Sean, but then saw him stiffen in alarm. It was the window; he had seen her reflection.

  As Sean turned to face her with his knife, Alexa rushed forward, forced by fate back into violence.

  ***

  Chief of Police John Ellison had a home on the river. It was one of several houses that sat on Killburry’s western border.

  It wasn’t a huge house, but it had a little land around it, and he lived there with his daughter, Olivia. There was another family member as well, and that was the chief’s dog, Seth. Seth was a German shepherd and a retired police dog from another town.

  The chief was friends with Seth’s human partner, and when it came time for the dog to retire, the chief took Seth in. He was an old dog that needed medication for a heart ailment, but Seth was still alert and very loving.

  The chief was walking the dog on a leash, down by the river, which was only about fifty yards from his back door. He was looking down at Seth when he saw his hackles rise, and then the hound’s eyes looked along the riverbank, at the figure walking towards them.

  Seth began barking furiously and the chief reined him in and studied the figure. It was a man wearing a bright yellow shirt with a white cap pulled down low over his eyes.

  The chief realized that the shirt and the hat looked familiar, and remembered seeing the neighborhood watch group being dressed that way. When he saw that the man was holding one hand out of sight, Ellison went on full alert.

  He was about to put his hand on his weapon when he recognized the man walking towards him and calmed down.

  Talking loud to be heard over the dog’s barking, Chief Ellison asked his visitor a question.

  “Tim, why are you dressed like that?”

  Deputy Tim Ralston answered his boss by revealing the gun he had hidden behind his back, which he then pointed at the chief’s chest.

  Thinking better of the situation, Ralston switched his aim to the dog. It would do him no good to kill the chief and have his throat ripped out by the dog’s fangs.

  Ralston aimed directly at Seth’s face and pulled the trigger.

  Seconds later, both man and dog lay on the ground, as the water lapped peacefully at the river’s edge.

  CHAPTER 14 – A thorny situation

  Alexa thrust the cactus at Sean’s eyes as the neo-Nazi spun around with his blade.

  The knife cut her left arm before Sean dropped it to reach for his eyes, which had been punctured or scratched by several needles.

  Sean’s screams of pain brought nurses, orderlies, and a doctor running into the room. They were soon joined by a security guard, and he was the one who spotted the swastika tattoo on the inside portion of Sean’s wrist.

  As Sean was being carted away, Alexa was escorted to a treatment room, where she would also be questioned when the police arrived.

  Deke called to her.

  “Please come back before you leave, and thank you.”

  Alexa only had time to send him a smile before she was rushed out the door with her wounded arm dripping blood along the hallway.

  ***

  Chief Ellison had inhaled sharply when he saw the gun in Ralston’s hand. When Ralston lowered his aim to shoot the dog, the chief let go of the leash just as Ralston fired.

  The shot was loud, and was followed by an echo, but the echo originated from the rear of the chief’s house. Olivia stood with a rifle at her shoulder and had shot Tim Ralston, just as Ralston was firing his own weapon.

  The chief watched, as a bright red stain blossomed across Ralston’s yellow shirt and astonishment bloomed on Ralston’s face. Then, the deputy fell backwards, to lie motionless.

  After kicking Ralston’s gun away, the chief checked on his victim.

  The dog was down as well, and had been shot in a rear leg. When the chief saw that the wound wasn’t much more than a bad scratch, he prompted Seth to stand, and the hound made it to his feet and licked the chief’s face.

  Olivia came on the run, still holding her rifle, then skidded to a stop and stared down at Ralston.

  “Oh my God. He’s dead, isn’t he?”

  Ellison went to his daughter and held her.

  “You saved my life, baby.”

  “The dog, Seth, I heard him barking and saw a man walking towards you. From where I was, I could see the gun behind his back. I grabbed my rifle and... I shot him.”

  A sound came from Ralston’s body. When the chief investigated, he found Ralston’s phone. There was a new text.

  IS THE DEED DONE?

  The chief and his daughter read it together.

  “Oh my God, Dad, Tim was working with someone.”

  “Yeah, but who?” Ellison said, and then he keyed in an answer. It was easy for him because he had the same type of phone and often sent texts.

  THE DEED IS DONE.

  A mome
nt later came a reply.

  GOOD. NOW IT’S MY TURN TO HAVE FUN.

  Olivia let out a little gasp.

  “Oh God, I don’t know who that is, but it makes me shudder to wonder what they think is fun.”

  The dog let out a whine as he took a few limping steps. Seth’s leg was hurt, but not broken. There was also very little blood where the bullet had hit him.

  Chief Ellison looked down at Ralston’s body. The man was his own deputy, and yet, he was dressed like one of the neighborhood watch group. That told Ellison that someone had wanted to frame the group for his murder. But who? And why the hell was Ralston helping them?

  “Dad?” Olivia called.

  The chief stirred from his thoughts and saw that his daughter was pointing at an elderly man running towards them. It was one of their neighbors, a retired doctor named Hearns. The old man had a revolver in his hand but it was still sheathed inside a holster.

  “Hey there, John, Olivia, I heard the shooting and came running.”

  “Hi Doc, yeah, Olivia saved my life. That man tried to kill me.”

  The doctor was in his seventies, but still fit. When he squinted at Ralston’s body, he looked upset.

  “The Ralston boy? I know his family from when I practiced in Hartford. He tried to kill you? I thought he was a deputy?”

  “Yes, he tried to kill me, and yeah, he was a deputy. Thanks to Olivia I’m still standing, but Ralston shot old Seth there in the leg.”

  The doctor called Seth over and the dog went to him.

  “That’s not too bad a wound, John. Why don’t you let me take Seth in while you and Olivia handle this mess? I called your guys before leaving the house, and they’re on the way.”

  Ellison thanked the doctor and watched as the old man led Seth away.

  Olivia hugged her father.

  “Dad, what the hell is going on?”

  “I don’t know, honey, but as soon as a patrol car arrives to handle the scene, you and I are going to Gentry Court. Given the way that Ralston is dressed, I think the answer lies there in that cul-de-sac.”

  ***

  While the chief was planning to visit Tanner’s neighborhood, someone else had just arrived there. It was Sara Blake.

  Tanner had been sitting out on his front porch waiting for her to show, and he walked down the steps to greet her.

  He had just received a call from Alexa explaining what had happened at the hospital, and knew that she would be delayed in getting back to Killburry. Alexa had assured Tanner that her cut was minor, but he still worried and wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw her again.

  “Thanks for coming, Sara,” Tanner said.

  Sara grinned.

  “I still have to get used to you calling me by my first name. And look at this house, Tanner. You’re becoming downright civilized.”

  “Only on the surface,” Tanner said. “And remember, they know me as Tom Myers here.”

  They were leaving the driveway when Sara saw Josie step out onto the front porch of the house next door. Josie was staring at Sara with a scrutinizing gaze.

  “I see you have nosy neighbors.”

  “That’s Josie; I mentioned her yesterday.”

  “Oh, the neighborhood nympho?”

  Tanner smiled.

  “That’s one way to describe her.”

  “Who’s that, Tom?” Josie said.

  Tanner looked over and saw Josie with her arms crossed over her chest and glaring down at Sara.

  “This is Sara, Josie.”

  “And does Alexa know about Sara? I know she’s not home, Tom. I saw her leave earlier.”

  Tanner took Sara’s hand and began walking up the steps with her.

  “What Alexa doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right?”

  Josie opened her mouth in shock.

  Tanner had reached his front door when Josie called to him.

  “Tom!”

  “Yes?”

  Josie winked.

  “I’m next.”

  “Sorry, but you’re too close to home.”

  Going along with the act, Sara reached up and touched Tanner on the cheek.

  “C’mon baby, I can’t wait any longer.”

  “See you around, Josie,” Tanner said.

  He entered the house with Sara, and as he was shutting the door, he heard Josie call to him again.

  “I’m gonna tell!”

  He laughed along with Sara and then gestured towards the kitchen.

  “As you heard, Alexa isn’t back yet. I’ll tell you the story over coffee, and she can give you a tour of the house some other time.”

  “I spent the morning at my own new home, the RV. It’s stocked with food and I even stored some clothes there.”

  Sara gazed around the living room with an admiring eye. She looked at the few pictures on the mantle. There was one showing Tanner and Alexa, while the rest displayed Alexa with Emilio and Rodrigo, who Alexa had mentioned to Sara.

  She turned and looked at Tanner.

  “No pictures of your family?”

  “No. I don’t have any,” he said, which wasn’t completely the truth. In New York, Laurel Ivy had possession of the lone photo she’d discovered that showed a young Tanner with his mother.

  Sara walked over to him and stared up into his eyes.

  “You looked sad all of a sudden. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up old memories.”

  “It’s fine, but let’s have that coffee, hmm?”

  “All right, and Tanner, the house is beautiful. Did you two hire a decorator?”

  “No, this was all chosen by Alexa. I paid for the house, but she furnished it.”

  “She has good taste,” Sara said. “And in more ways than one.”

  CHAPTER 15 – Yesterday never ends

  Mike Hodges ducked down behind a row of bushes and heard his knees crack loudly.

  He was across the street from the home that had belonged to his nephew, Burt Hodges, but which now seemed to be the headquarters for a group of armed men. Three such men stood on the porch of the home with their weapons out in plain view.

  There were also a number of large trucks scattered about the area, and men were moving furniture into the empty homes that Mike’s nephew owned.

  Mike had told Hodges to call him no matter what at noon each day. He had repeated the demand to Dexter the day before. When neither of his nephews made contact, or answered their phones, Mike decided to pay them a visit.

  As he looked at the scene before him, he became certain that both of his nephews were dead.

  More men poured out of Burt’s house and they were also armed. Uncle Mike counted ten men. They were all dressed the same, in what looked like a blue uniform, and he watched as they drove off in a pair of white vans.

  He had seen the looks on their faces, the anticipatory glints in their eyes, and he knew that they were going off to cause mayhem.

  He had worn that same look often as a young man and had seen it reflected back in mirrors. Wherever they were headed, they expected to face little opposition and were looking forward to plunder.

  Mike made his way around to the rear of the house he was at and sat on the back steps.

  He had brought along a gun, just in case, now, he just had to find the nerve to use it.

  ***

  Tanner had just finished telling Sara the story of Sean’s attempt on Deke’s life at the hospital.

  “Are you sure Alexa is all right?” Sara said.

  “She sounded good, but had to have the cut on her arm bandaged, and she’ll be giving a statement to the cops.”

  “If she hadn’t been there, it sounds like Deke would be dead right now.”

  “Yes, and I guess this means that we’ll have to reschedule our dinner.”

  Sara nodded in agreement, but followed it with a little shrug.

  “We still have to eat, why don’t the two of us go out?”

  “Just you and me?”

  Sara leaned across the table.

  �
��I’ll tell Josie that I worked up an appetite in the bedroom.”

  Tanner smiled.

  “Why not? Like you said, we both have to eat anyway.”

  The sound of two vehicles coming to a screeching halt reached their ears. As Tanner cocked his head to listen, the squeak of doors opening on vehicles could be heard.

  “What’s going on?” Sara said.

  As if in answer, the thunder of multiple rounds being fired simultaneously filled the air as scores of bullets ripped through the front of the house.

  Sara dived to the floor with her purse, which held her weapon. She then realized with horror and dismay that Tanner had frozen in place. She gazed up at him and saw that a haunted light had entered his eyes. Tanner hit the floor and lay beside her an instant later, as the barrage of gunfire continued and the sounds of destruction echoed throughout the home.

  His inaction had lasted only a moment, but Sara had seen the odd look in his eyes. It wasn’t fear, but... something else.

  What Sara had no way of knowing was that Tanner had lived through a similar situation before. That event had marked him in many ways, and he had been transported back in time to that day. Within that instant of inaction, in his mind’s eye he had relived that horror, and had watched his family die all over again.

  He lay beside her, whispering to himself.

  “This time I kill them all... this time I kill them all...”

  “Tanner?” Sara said, as she took his hand.

  “I’m good,” he said in a hoarse voice, as he gripped her hand.

  Tanner looked at Sara and saw the questions in her eyes, but he had neither the time or inclination to answer them.

  “We have to get into the basement, follow me,” he told her.

  They crawled together towards a door on the right side of the room. The gunfire began to lose volume, then stopped altogether. However, it wasn’t replaced by silence, but rather, there were the sounds of women screaming and children crying.

  Gentry Court was under attack.

  ***

  Outside Tanner’s house, Adán was directing the five men with him, including Choa.

  They were all dressed like cops without the badges and other paraphernalia such as police radios. They also wore ski masks and latex gloves.