Shepherd's Fall

by W. L. Dyson

  Nick brushed his hand over his gun and then pounded on the door to Jon Carver's condo. Conner and Rafe stood behind him.

  “Who is it?”

  “Open up. We have a warrant for Tommy Lester.”

  The door cracked open, and just as Nick had anticipated, Ira was still half-asleep. “Lester? He doesn't live here. What's this about, Shepherd? You wake Mr. Carver up, and he's going to be calling his lawyers before you have time to apologize.”

  Nick pushed through the door, shoving Ira aside. “We have reason to believe that Lester is hiding out here.” Nick waved Conner forward while Rafe maintained a stance behind Nick, gun drawn and pointed at Ira. “Check every room, under every bed. If Lester's here, I want him in cuffs.”

  “Who do you think you are, Shepherd?” Jon Carver came into the room, tying the belt to his robe. “You can't come barging in here like this.”

  “Sure I can.” Nick waved papers in front of Jon's face. “I have every right. So, while we're waiting, why don't you tell me where my daughter's hidden? I'd hate for Rafe to accidentally shoot you before you had a chance to come clean.”

  Jon narrowed his eyes. “You're going to pay for this, Shepherd.”

  “I doubt it could be worse than what I've already paid. You crossed the line, Carver. And it's a step you're going to regret for a very long time.”

  While Rafe held Jon and Ira at gunpoint, Nick went through the kitchen, the dining room, the library, and the home gym. It didn't look like Jon ever used any of the equipment, but it was good for show, at least. Probably stood around drinking while he forced his goons to work out every day.

  He finally made the circle back to the living room.

  Conner stepped back into the living room. “Bedrooms are clear.”

  Nick nodded and turned back to Jon. “Tell Lester we'll be back and we'll keep coming back until we have him back in custody. You'll tell him that for us, won't you?”

  “I have no idea where he is.”

  Nick smiled. “I'm sure you'll think of something. After all, you won't want me barging in every few hours. That would be so inconvenient, don't you think? One last chance, Jon. Where is my daughter?”

  “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  “I see. Well, I guess that means I'll be sending that laptop to the FBI. You have a nice day.”

  “Although, Boss,” Conner stepped in a little closer to Nick. “Didn't Benedict offer you half a million dollars for that laptop? Why don't we just sell it to him?”

  “Shepherd.” Jon stepped forward, tightening the belt on his blue velvet robe. “That would be the very last mistake you ever made.”

  “My daughter was your biggest mistake,” Nick said, leaning in close to Jon's face for emphasis. “I want her back.”

  Jon tucked his hands in his pockets and gave Nick one of those smarmy smiles Nick hated. “I'll ask around. I'm sure I can find out who has her.”

  “Uh-huh,” Nick replied. “You'll ask around. I'm sure you won't have to search very far for answers. I'll be expecting your call, Carver. And don't make me wait too long. Benedict's offer is looking better all the time.”

  “You turn that laptop over to him, and your daughter is dead.”

  Nick grabbed Jon by the lapels and slammed him up against the wall. “If anything, and I mean any single thing happens to her, you will be dead within a matter of hours. Do you hear me?”

  “And you'll go to jail, bounty hunter,” Jon said through clenched teeth. “Can you live with that?”

  “I can claim self-defense, and you'll be dead. I can live with that.” Nick gave Jon one last shake and then released him. Jon staggered but managed to stay on his feet. “Like I said, Jon. Have a nice day.”

  Saturday, 6:05 a.m.

  Jon Carver's condo, Baltimore

  As soon as the bounty hunters left, Jon grabbed the phone and called Richie. “I warned you not to take the girl. Thanks to your insolence, Shepherd just showed up at my front door.”

  “Jon? What? I'm sleeping. Can this wait?”

  Jon paced while he talked. “I don't care if you just fell asleep fifteen minutes ago. I warned you not to mess with her until I was done with this deal, but oh no…now that bounty hunter's making threats, holding my laptop for ransom. Brilliant, Richie. Great work, you moron.”

  “Relax. He's just trying to push you into making a mistake. I'm going back to bed.”

  When Jon heard Richie hang up, he slammed the phone down.

  17

  Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

  Prodigal offices, Baltimore

  Nick let the silence in his office give him space to think, even though his thoughts were far from peaceful. They bombarded him as he sat, his head and arms resting on his desk, the door to his office shut.

  He had ruined his marriage. He had alienated his daughter. He'd given everything for a business that now threatened to end Krystal's life. It was his own pride and arrogance that had led to Krystal's abduction. He had taunted Richie, knowing that Richie would have to react. Nick had trusted his own ability to outwit the Carvers without accepting that he could be beaten.

  He'd been wrong. And now he might never see his daughter alive again.

  Let's hear it for Father of the Year.

  He ran his hand over his face. He didn't have time for regrets and self-flagellation right now. He had to find Krystal. He had to do for her what he wasn't able to do for Lisa.

  “Okay, people. Let's—” Nick's thoughts were interrupted when a petite redhead stepped into the doorway. “Annie. I thought you were in the hospital.”

  “I'm okay. I just need to sit down.”

  Steven pushed a chair toward her. She sank down into it, setting her backpack beside the chair. “I'm sorry.”

  Rafe continued to hover. “Are you okay? I thought you were in the hospital.”

  “I was. But I'm fine.” She looked up at Nick. “Call Jon Carver. Tell him that his attempt to kill Zeena failed. That you have her in custody and you have his laptop too.”

  She reached down, picked up the backpack, and lifted it toward him. Nick reached out and took it from her. He set it on the desk, opened it, and pulled out the laptop. “This is Jon's laptop?”

  “Yes. Barbara gave it to me. Tell Jon that you'll trade the laptop for your daughter.”

  Nick handed the laptop to Rafe. “See what's on this thing that has Jon so concerned.”

  “On it, Boss.”

  Nick turned back to Annie. “I already told Jon I had it. A little bluff to push him into giving me my daughter. In the meantime, you just let Zeena go? I thought we had a deal?”

  Annie blushed. “You can still arrest her when all this is over.”

  It all sounded perfect, but there were still details that bothered Nick. “Jon is going to want to see Zeena.”

  “And he will.”

  Marti walked into Nick's office, twisting the top of a bottle of water and handing it to Annie. “You look as tired as we all feel, so I thought you could use this.”

  Annie cracked a hint of a smile and thanked her. “I don't think we've met. I'm Annie McNamara.”

  “Marti Shepherd.”

  “Sister? You look a lot like Nick.”

  “So I'm told.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Annie replied before turning back to Nick. “You can't trust him. That's what Zeena told me anyway. She said that he rarely keeps his word.”

  Nick rubbed his hands over his face. “Okay. Let's do it.” He picked up the phone and called the offices at the Stark Lily. There was no answer, so he left a message. “Jon? It's Nick Shepherd. Zeena says you're not to be trusted. Is she right? Because if she is, maybe talking to you is a waste of time.”

  He hung up the phone and turned to Annie. “If we can convince him to trade the laptop for Krystal, we might be able to keep you out of this.”

  Annie shook her head. “Barbara says he wants her dead. He won't settle for anything less than her alive and in the flesh so that he can kill her.�
��

  Nick heard the front door open. Rafe eased his weapon out of his holster while Conner picked his up from the coffee table and walked out, holding it down along his thigh. As soon as he reached the office door, he backed up.

  Jessica swept into the room, her red eyes and lack of makeup stunning everyone into silence. “Where is Krystal?”

  Nick stood up and stepped out from behind the desk. Words failed him as he absorbed the pain that radiated off her in waves.

  Jessica launched herself at him, clawing and scratching, pounding him in the chest with her fists. “Why did they take her? Why aren't you out there getting her back? Don't you care? I want my daughter!”

  Nick allowed her to slam at him, ignoring every time one of her blows came close to his bullet wound. In a way, he almost felt better for it, as if she were better at punishing him than he was at punishing himself. And he knew he deserved it. As she started to slow down, he wrapped his good arm around her.

  “It's going to be okay, Jess. I'll get her back.”

  “I want my little girl.” Jessica muffled her sobs against his chest.

  He glanced up and gave a look that sent everyone out of the room. Conner closed the office door behind them.

  “Jessica.” He stepped away from her, letting his hand slide down to rest on her upper arm. “I promise you, I'm going to bring our little girl home. Okay?”

  “She's probably scared out of her mind, Nick. I know I am.”

  “So am I.” He rubbed her arm. “Listen to me. I need you to just give me one minute to say something I should have told you a long time ago.” He took a deep breath. “I let you down. In our marriage. And I'm sorry for that. I can't go back and change what I did. I didn't even realize I was doing it at the time. But I won't let you down now. I'll find her for you. For us.”

  Jessica finally lifted her face, her eyes wide with fear and panic, skin flushed. He knew that he would move heaven and earth to see her smile again.

  “What makes you so sure she's still alive, Nick?”

  “He's not going to hurt Krystal as long as I bring him what he wants.”

  She reached up and brushed her hair back out of her face, tucking it behind her ears. “What does he want?”

  My soul. He stepped back and rolled his shoulder, trying to ease the throbbing. “I'm going to get Krystal back safe and sound. That's all you need to concentrate on.”

  She studied his face for a moment. He wasn't sure what she was looking for, but he hoped she found it. Finally, she nodded and leaned into his arms again. “Just bring her home, Nick. Just bring my baby home.”

  “I will.”

  The phone rang once and stopped, giving Nick the impression that someone out in the reception area had answered it. Sure enough, there was a light tap on the door.

  “Yeah?” Nick called out.

  The door opened, and Marti stuck her head in. “Jon Carver on line one.”

  Nick rubbed Jessica's arms. “Let me deal with him.”

  “He's the one that has our daughter, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then go get him, Nick Shepherd. You don't stop until he's dirt beneath your feet.”

  Nick smiled. “Tell the gang to get in here. I may need Annie's help again.”

  He sat down behind his desk, took a deep breath, and then picked up the phone. “Prodigal Recovery Agency. Who would you like us to hunt down like a dog?”

  “Funny guy,” Jon replied. “Let's see how funny you are when I get through with you.”

  As everyone filed back into the room, Nick pointed at Annie and then at the chair in front of his desk. As soon as she sat down, he put the phone on speaker.

  “Jon. Jon. You still don't get it, do you? You and Richie poked a stick at the wrong dog. And trust me, my bite is far worse than my bark.”

  “So you call me up and leave lies on my answering machine?”

  “And what lie would that be?”

  “I know for a fact that Zeena is dead, bounty hunter. You don't have her, and you don't have my laptop. So if you want your daughter back, you're going to have to go back to my original offer. I tell you to back off my men, and you back off. You got that?”

  Nick pointed to Annie, praying she could carry it off. Annie leaned forward. “Jon? What gave you the crazy idea that I was dead? Because you sent Iris with some insulin? Please. Do you know how much resistance I've built up over the years doing every drug known to man?”

  Nick heard a little gasp, and then Jon whispered, “Zeena? But how?”

  “In the flesh, Jon. And I have your laptop. But since you killed Danny and then tried to hurt some people I care about, I think it's time I turned it over to the Feds.”

  “Don't do it, Zeena. I know about your sister. You wouldn't want me to hurt her, now would you?”

  “You can't hurt her, Jon. I made sure she was far away from your reach when I turned myself in. You won't find her.”

  Nick leaned forward, running a finger across his throat at Annie to cue her to stop. Then he took over the conversation. “You should have remembered, Jon. I never lie. Now, you have my daughter. I have your laptop.”

  “I want my laptop, and I want Zeena.”

  “I want my daughter and Richie and Lester.”

  “I don't have her.”

  “Liar. Have it your way. Hey, Conn! Would you take this laptop to Benedict? Special deliv—”

  “Wait. Okay. I think we can deal. I have a lead on your daughter. We'll make the trade.”

  “And your brother and Lester.”

  “No deal.”

  Nick rubbed his hand over his face. In spite of what Jon planned, Richie was going to be part of the deal. One way or another. But this was not the time to discuss it. “Fine. I'll hand over your laptop after my daughter is returned safe and sound.”

  “Deal. I'll call you with the details. And Nicky-boy?”

  “What?”

  “Tell Zeena that she and the laptop are a package deal. Otherwise your daughter may not be in one piece the next time you see her.”

  Before Nick could respond, Jon hung up.

  Nick took a deep breath and set the phone down.

  Rafe was staring at Annie. “That was good, Annie. For a minute, I almost thought you really were Zeena.”

  Annie laughed, but it sounded weary and weak. “Barbara gave me a few tips.”

  “I'll say.” Nick reached for his Dew as he stood up. “If I didn't know you, I'd have been fooled completely.”

  Nick's office door opened, and two men stepped in. “Mr. Shepherd?”

  Instinctively, Nick stepped in front of Jessica. “Yes?”

  One of them held up a badge. “Harrows. ATF. We're going to have to ask you to stand down.”

  “Stand down? What do you mean, stand down?”

  The other agent stepped forward. “It means that you won't be going after your daughter.”

  Saturday, 10:15 a.m.

  The Stark Lily, Park Heights, Baltimore

  Jon slammed the flat of his hand down on his desk. “What do you mean you can't wait until Sunday? We had all this set.”

  “We are in town now and ready to take possession of our shipment. I don't see what the problem is, Mr. Carver. Let's just say I'm a cautious buyer.”

  “So what? You thought I was going to double-cross you? I wouldn't stay in business very long if I did that to my buyers.”

  “Like I said, consider me cautious. It's how I stay in business. Now, can we do business today or not?”

  Jon glanced at the clock. Of all times for his buyer to arrive early. The girl was at the warehouse. The bounty hunter would be coming in soon with Zeena. He wanted them dead and gone before his buyer arrived.

  Richie walked into the office and headed straight for the bar. Jon signaled him to pour him one. Richie nodded. “Yeah. Sure. We can do business today. I just need to make a few calls, rearrange my schedule.”

  “Shall we say noon then?”

  Jon rubbed his temple.
“No. After dark.”

  “Ten this evening then.”

  “Yeah. Ten. That's fine.” He slowly hung up the phone.

  “What's going on?” Richie asked as he handed him his drink.

  “Barlow decided to come in town early. He wants the shipment tonight.”

  Richie sat down, stretched out his legs, and crossed them at the ankle. “So what's the problem?”

  “The problem, little brother, is that your personal vendetta is now interfering with my business. In case you've forgotten, you have that kid stashed there. And her father bringing me my laptop. And Zeena. And I wanted them all dead and disposed of before Barlow arrived in town.”

  “So, call the bounty hunter and tell him you'll meet him tomorrow. Or better yet, at midnight tonight. By then, Barlow will be long gone”—his grin spread—“and I'll have all the time in the world to make that bounty hunter suffer.”

  “What in the world makes you think I can put Shepherd off that long? He has Benedict breathing down his neck. How long do you think it will be before Benedict convinces him that it's in his best interests to join forces against me?”

  Richie stared down at his drink. “We can pull it off.”

  Saturday, 10:20 a.m.

  Prodigal Recovery offices, Baltimore

  Nick couldn't believe what he was hearing. “You expect me to allow my daughter to stay in Carver's hands? Are you out of your mind?”

  “No, Mr. Shepherd. If you'll let us explain.”

  Nick threw up a hand. “And how did you know that Carver had my daughter?”

  The two men looked at each other, and neither of them was quick to respond. But Nick caught on faster than they probably wanted him to. “You saw it all go down, didn't you? You were at the Lily. You saw them take my daughter, and you did nothing to save her. And you consider yourselves law enforcement. I have a different name for it.”

  “You have to understand. We have been watching Carver for a long time. His latest dealings are in stolen military weapons, and we've been working overtime to catch him red-handed and arrest him. We can't blow our investigation by your interference.”

  Jessica practically lunged at the men. “Interference? That's my daughter!” Both of them stepped back, but Nick wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.