Cover of Darkness (Witness Security Book 3)

by Jamie Hill

  He searched his memory. “Pretty sure she told me. I think it’s Bob and Hannah Decker. Probably Robert. He teaches school and she’s a real estate agent. I don’t have a number or address, though.”

  “We’ll take it from there, thanks.”

  “Can you text me the address of that motel?”

  Eichem hesitated. “If they’re still there, the police will arrive before you do.”

  “I know. I doubt they’re still there. Either way, I’m headed to Omaha.”

  “I’ll text you the address. Be careful, okay?”

  “Always am. Thanks, Rod.” He ended the call.

  Nick raised his eyebrows. “We going to Nebraska?”

  Exhaling a sigh of relief, Ben nodded. “Thanks.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Olivia offered.

  The chief returned with a photo on his phone. “We’ve got a visual.” He showed Ben the image of Cole Jessup leading Addie from the federal office building.

  “That’s a pretty clear shot. Can you send it to my phone, please?”

  “Of course.” Rhodes punched his keyboard and sent the photo. “They’re headed north?”

  “Her folks live in Omaha. In all the trial photos I saw, they were right there the whole time supporting Addie. I expect he blames them for turning her against him.”

  “Those folks are in real danger,” Rhodes agreed.

  “I thought I’d go with him,” Nick told their boss.

  Olivia said, “I’d like to help if I could.”

  The chief shook his head. “I can’t send you all. We’ve got incoming witnesses tomorrow and I need some of you here to take care of business. Markham and Pierce can handle this. Keep us posted every step of the way.”

  “Thanks, chief.” Ben was relieved he didn’t get static for wanting to go. It wasn’t US Marshal business, but Evan obviously knew how important Addie was to him. He needed to go, and he needed Nick to have his back. He turned to his partner. “Let’s roll as soon as we can.”

  “Grab your gear. I’ll drive so you can stay on top of breaking news.” Nick put an arm around Jordan and she walked them to the door.

  “Be careful, you two. This guy is as crazy as anyone we’ve dealt with before.”

  “We’ll be fine, baby.” Nick pressed a kiss to her lips. “Text Benji if you hear anything. I’ll be driving with the pedal to the metal.”

  “Safely.” She kissed him back, and then squeezed Ben’s shoulder. They said goodbye to the others and headed out.

  In his truck, Nick turned to Ben. “You want to run home for a go bag or anything?”

  “No. I just want to go. They’ve got an hour or two lead on us. Hell, they may be in Omaha already. Let’s get there before dark.”

  Nick took off. “It’s about a three hour drive. I can probably make it in two. Ninety minutes if I had one of those flashing lights for the top of my truck.”

  Looking out the side window, Ben smiled, but he couldn’t shake the panic that was rising in his chest. “She has to be okay, Nick.”

  “She is. Jessup is crazy, but he wants Addie. He’s not going to hurt her.”

  “Hurting her is what he does best. She told me she had a bunch of broken bones at his hand. Bruises, sprains, a concussion, and he tried to choke her to death one night. He even ripped a handful of her hair out.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Nick was silent for a few moments then added, “She doesn’t want someone who’ll smother her.”

  “What?”

  “She said that in the message. She doesn’t want someone to smother her. I think that was another clue for you.”

  “Maybe.”

  “She’s a smart cookie, Ben. My gut tells me she’s going to be okay.”

  “But what if he—doesn’t kill her, and just… Oh, God. I can’t even say it out loud.”

  “Don’t let your mind go there.”

  “He’s been in prison for a year and a half. There’s a few things the normal man would want, and I’m not just talking about a greasy cheeseburger.”

  “Well, he’s not your normal man. But you’re right, he could rape Addie, or worse. But if she keeps her cool and her wits about her, she might be able to lessen the damage. That’s where her being smart, and understanding him for what he is, will come into play.”

  “I guess. I just hate to think what could be happening to her.”

  “She just needs to survive. That’s her only job right now. You can fix all the rest of it. Therapy, doctors, or just good old TLC. Whatever she needs, you can make sure she gets it. She just has to hang on, and survive.”

  Ben glanced over at the speedometer. Nick was driving eighty miles per hour, ten above the speed limit. “Will this thing do eighty-five?”

  Nick grinned. “Hell yeah. Hang on.”

  Glancing out the side window again, Ben repeated the words. “Hang on, Addie. Hang on.”

  They made it to the motel in forty-five minutes. Two Nebraska state trooper cars were there, and they approached the men and showed their badges.

  “US Marshals Markham and Pierce. Did you find anything?”

  One of the troopers led them into the room. “Just a mess. Looks like they ate, then threw the trash all over the floor. Right here is the cell phone the police were after. Smashed, but some of the innards must still be working since it was sending off signals.”

  “Do you have an evidence baggie?” Ben asked.

  “Sure.” The trooper got a plastic bag and handed it over.

  Ben scooped the phone into the baggie and sealed it. “This is Addie’s phone.”

  Nick looked around the room. “Maybe he caught her trying to use it to make a call.”

  “Maybe.” Ben squinted at a dark spot on the small white table. “Does that look like blood?”

  His partner leaned in and studied it. “Yeah, it does. Not much, though. That’s good.”

  Ben sighed. “Nothing about this is good, Nick.”

  “You know what I mean. There’s not gallons of it.”

  “True. Okay. Onward to Omaha.”

  “Let’s do it.” Nick climbed back into the truck and headed north up the same highway.

  Ben touched base with the chief and Detective Eichem.

  Rod relayed the information he had. “Omaha PD is sending a patrolman to the parents’ house to make sure they’re okay. He’ll stay there on surveillance until you arrive. You’re to ask for Sergeant Swift, he’s the one coordinating the departments. I’ll text you his phone number as well.”

  “Thanks, Rod.” Ben hung up and told Nick what he’d said.

  “This is good. Everyone’s on top of it, and taking it seriously. It’s going to be fine.”

  “Yeah.” Ben wasn’t so sure.

  * * *

  Addie fought back panic as they drew closer to Omaha. Cole had been quiet on the second half of their trip, even though she’d tried to get him to talk. He’d cranked up the radio and they’d listened to country music romance and heartbreak the whole way.

  The city lights usually appeared warm and beckoning each time she returned home. This time they sent a terror she hadn’t felt in nearly two years straight through her heart and into her gut.

  “Cole.” She made another attempt to reason with him. “You don’t have to do this. Let’s find a motel somewhere…” She fought the bile rising in her throat at what she was about to say. “So you and I can be alone.”

  He glanced at her. “That’s a nice offer. We’ll have plenty of time to be alone once we get home.”

  She hesitated. “Are you talking about my parents’ house?”

  “Of course. They’ll be so happy to see us.”

  “You think so?”

  Cole chuckled. “Well, you anyway. If nothing else, they’ll be surprised to see me.”

  As badly as Addie didn’t want to confront this situation on her own, she did not want her parents put into danger. They’d always been nice to Cole, until they found out what he’d been doing to her. At that point, their fr
iendly relationship was over.

  She couldn’t believe he’d really hurt them. Of course, she’d never have believed in a million years that he was capable of cold-blooded murder, either. She really didn’t know Cole at all anymore.

  He pulled into the driveway of her childhood home and parked. “The old car looks good here, eh? It feels right at home.”

  She turned to him. “Cole, please. Let’s just leave. I’ll do anything you want me to, if you just drive away from here now.”

  “You’re going to walk inside and surprise Mom and Dad that you’re home. I’ll be right behind you, in case you get any bright ideas. And remember, if things go sour you won’t be the first one I hurt. I’ll probably start with Mom. Unless Dad tries to be a hero, and then of course I’ll have to take him out.”

  “Cole, you can’t!”

  “Shut up, Addie,” he sneered. He climbed out of the car and walked around to her side. Pulling her out roughly, he hustled her to the front door before he untied her hands. He’d removed her keys from her purse and waved them in front of her. “Which one?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  With one swift movement, Cole backhanded her across the face. “Look again, darlin’. Which one?”

  Sobbing, Addie point to the house key.

  “Stop your sniveling. Wipe your face before you go it. You’ll have them wondering what’s wrong.”

  “Like seeing you won’t do that?”

  He laughed. “I can’t wait for them to see me. Their expressions will be priceless. Move.” He unlocked the door and shoved her inside before whispering, “Remember, no funny stuff. Mom might have trouble playing the piano with nine fingers.”

  Nodding, Addie walked inside. Her father was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper.

  He glanced up. “Addie! What the heck? What are you doing here?” His face froze when he spotted Cole.

  She broke into tears again. “I’m sorry, Daddy. He made me go with him. He threatened Katie if I didn’t do what he said.”

  “Hi, Bob!” Cole said cheerfully. “Great to see you again. Sorry about that Katie business, that was just a bluff. This, however, is not.” He removed the knife from his pocket. “This is the realest thing you’re ever going to experience. Now, where’s Hannah?”

  “She’s not here,” her father answered quickly.

  “Then I guess we’ll just have to wait.”

  A rumbling sound indicated the overhead garage door was opening.

  Cole smiled. “That wasn’t a very long wait.” He pulled a roll of duct tape from his pocket. “Addie, bind his ankles, then do his hands. I want him sitting right there, just like he is.”

  “I won’t!” She screamed at him.

  He backhanded her again, knocking her off her feet.

  Her father made a move to jump up and Cole shoved him back down. “I said stay there. You people are making this so much harder than it has to be. The next one of you who fights me is going to lose a body part. If I’m feeling generous it’ll be a pinkie finger. The more you act out, the less generous I’ll feel.”

  Her father settled back and looked at her. “Do what he says, Addie.”

  Wiping her face, she clambered to her feet and snatched the duct tape. She knelt in front of him and began to wrap it around his ankles.

  “Nice and tight.”

  She obliged, and then secured his hands.

  Cole grabbed the tape from her and bound her hands again, then shoved her on the sofa next to him.

  The kitchen door opened and Addie heard her mother’s voice.

  “Bob? Whose car is that? It looks just like Addie’s old Dodge.” She walked to the doorway between the two rooms and froze. “Cole!”

  He held up his knife. “Hi, Hannah! You’ll want to stop right there. Put down the stuff in your hands and bring your cell phone to me. I know you’ve got it on you somewhere.”

  Addie locked gazes with her mother.

  Hannah Decker surveyed the scene quickly, and then took a step backwards. “Addie, run!” She darted out the garage door.

  Cole fisted one hand in Addie’s hair and dragged her to a standing position. He jabbed the knife into her neck and looked at her father. “I will open her up if you move one inch off that sofa. We’re going to go get your wife, now. If you’re not there when I get back, both of them are blood and guts on the carpet.”

  “Don’t hurt them!” Bob yelled.

  Cole shoved Addie to the garage door and called, “Come back, Hannah. I’ve got a knife at your daughter’s throat and you have to believe I’m not afraid to use it.”

  Her mother stepped into the light. “Don’t!”

  “Then get your ass back inside, now.”

  She stepped into the kitchen and he shoved her to walk in front of them. They returned to the living room where Cole bound them hand and foot, then placed a piece of duct tape over each of their mouths.

  Addie made eye contact with each of her parents. They appeared as frightened as she felt. Her chest was heavy, knowing that she’d brought all this upon them.

  The doorbell rang.

  Cole gazed at them suspiciously. He faced Hannah. “Where’s your phone?”

  She shook her head, unable to speak if she’d wanted to.

  He ran toward the garage.

  Addie looked at each of them again, and made an effort to stand.

  Her father shook his head, motioning for her to stay put.

  Cole stomped back in.

  Her father had been right, she wouldn’t have had time to get to the door.

  Fury oozed from his pores as he screamed at her mother, “You stupid bitch! You called nine-one-one!” He pressed the off button on her phone and threw it against the brick fireplace. The phone shattered.

  Addie inhaled. Could it be the police at the door?

  Cole smacked Hannah across the face then stomped to the front window and peeked out.

  Her mother groaned and Addie felt her father’s body stiffen as if he’d taken the blow himself. Addie wanted to cry. If that isn’t the police, this is going to be so bad.

  “It’s the fucking cops!” Cole shrieked. He turned back to face them, and pointed at Hannah. “You did this. Just remember, what happens next is all your fault.”

  He went to the front door and opened it a crack. “Good afternoon, officer. Can I help you?”

  “Yes, sir. We received a nine-one-one call from a cell phone that tracked to this address. Is everything okay here?”

  “Well, sure it is. I didn’t think you could call nine-one-one from cell phones. I thought it wasn’t always reliable.”

  “It’s not the most reliable, but we have to check it out. Mind if I come in and look around?”

  “If you want. It’s your choice.” Cole stepped back and allowed the man in.

  The uniformed officer spotted the family tied up in the living room and he went for his gun.

  Cole shoved his knife into the man’s heart then yanked it out and slit his throat.

  The officer slumped to the floor. Addie couldn’t tell if he was already dead, but she knew he wouldn’t last long.

  Her parents were sobbing now.

  She thought she might be sick. She’d had a few hours to process the horrors Cole had done, but it was all news to her folks. She hoped their hearts could take it.

  “Aw, sorry Officer. It was Hannah’s fault.” Cole grabbed the man’s feet and dragged him around the corner.

  Addie couldn’t see, but knew what Cole was doing. He’d opened the door to the basement. She heard the body thump down the stairs. Cole closed the door again, returning with a roll of paper towels to mop up the trail of blood.

  She watched in disbelief as he cleaned up the worst of it from the tiled foyer. The splatters on the carpet were permanent, but he didn’t seem to mind those. He apparently wanted the tile clean.

  Addie shook her head from side to side. She wanted Cole to let her speak.

  He studied her for a moment,
and then ripped the tape from her mouth.

  The pain was sharp and she gasped.

  “Yes?” He gazed at her dully.

  “What are you doing, Cole? This is nuts! More police will show up any minute. You should get out now, while you can.”

  He laughed. “You’re not helping your case, darlin’. The last thing I plan to do is to kill the three of you. So if you’re trying to hurry me up, which of your parents would you like to see go first?”

  “No. You can’t. They didn’t do anything to you except love you like a son. The other stuff was all me. It was my fault. I know that, now. I made you angry and you had to discipline me. I should never have pressed charges. I’m sorry, Cole. I’m so sorry. Let me make it up to you.”

  “Wow, touching. A tempting offer, too. I’d like to see the look on your darling daddy’s face when that was going down.”

  Her head pounded, partially from his words but mostly from the blows he’d already inflicted. “If that’s what it’s going to take, I’ll do it. I only ask that you leave my parents alone. Don’t hurt them.”

  “Sorry darlin’, no can do. You see, as much as I’d enjoy the scenario I spelled out, I’m no longer able. I told you what they did to me in prison. They ruined me mentally, and physically. Now while I’m sure it amuses you to know that I can’t get it up anymore, it doesn’t please me. It makes me angry. And I guess you remember what happens when I get angry. I have this obsessive need to figure out whose fault it is. And this…well, Addie, this is all your fault. That’s the fucking story of my life. It’s all Addie’s fault.”

  Her mind was going numb. She could only keep repeating the words. “I’m sorry, Cole. I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

  “I wanted to have Katie here, too, so she could see what her sister did to the family. But I ran out of time. You’re right, there’ll be more police here soon. There may even be a US Marshal or two.” He smiled. “But they’ll be too late.” He held his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “They’ll all be just a little too late.”

  Venom rose like bile in her throat. “Ben will kill you. If you touch a hair on any of our heads, he will find you, and he will kill you.”

  Cole smiled again. “Ooh, such a Taken movie moment. It’s almost enough to make me want to stick around and see how that might play out. Unfortunately, sticking around isn’t in my plans.” He stood in front of her mother. “I’m going to kill you.” He looked at her father. “Then I’m going to kill you. After that, Addie will be so distraught the rest will be anti-climactic.”