by L. T. Ryan
"Reese, what's the first thing you would do if you were afraid of someone fleeing?"
"Put a car on them."
"Look back."
She glanced over her shoulder. "What? I don't see anything."
"Look further."
"Dammit," she said after spotting the plain clothes in the unmarked car inching along a perpendicular street two blocks back.
"I'm not going anywhere," I said. "They've got nothing on me. I've survived being tortured. There's no way these guys are gonna coerce me into a false confession. Let's ride this out and try to piece it together ourselves."
"OK. I have little faith they're gonna get it right anyway. We'll see what they do, then go from there, I guess."
She cut through an alley so narrow we wouldn't have made it if someone had set a trash can out there. We emerged a few houses down from her place. It cut about a minute off the drive.
It didn't matter, though. The plain clothes was already parked out front.
Chapter 18
Crystal River, Florida, 1988
Jack crawled toward the opening. The light had faded, but through the hole he could see the final speck of sunlight. He paused a few feet away, closed his eyes and listened. He realized during the first few silent seconds that his anxiety and panic were gone. No matter how hard he thought about it, they didn't return. It was a welcome development for the young man.
Over the years, his father had taught him to think tactically. Whether during chess matches, or their self-defense lessons, Jack had learned to plan several steps ahead, and anticipate the movements of others.
Outside, the strangers called to one another. A series of code words were used to check in. Jack picked out the distinct voices and tallied it up to at least five men. He'd counted three coming across the porch. So that left two. They had probably come around the side of the house, clearing the area. They'd leave at least a man or two out front.
Seven total. Maybe more.
That was a lot for him and his brother to take on. But they didn't have to face them all at once. The guys may have size and training on their side, but they didn't know the land like Sean and Jack. The woods were their territory. Even in the dark they could maneuver without thought. And night fell fast.
"All right, sweet cakes," a man said. "We know you're in there. Just come out and nothing will happen to you or your brothers."
How did he know she had brothers? She'd yelled out boys, run, but that didn't necessarily mean brothers. Had they been scoping out the house for some time? After all, the men showed up the night that Jack's parents were away. Why? To rob them? That would make sense, except for the fact that several of the men were outside now, where Sean, Jack and Molly were. If they wanted to rob the place, it would've made sense to let the kids run and then ransack the house. They weren't there to steal. They were hunting.
"There you are," another man said. "Just settle in right there."
Jack crossed the final few feet to the opening, remaining just inside. He scanned the yard. The sky hidden behind the foliage was a deep red, almost purple in some spots. The trees looked like black statues, the tops swaying in the breeze. Fireflies danced among the leaves. He saw outlines along the edge of the woods. Men, he presumed. But where was Molly?
"Just do as I say and nothing's gonna happen," the guy said.
Jack couldn't figure out where the man was. None were gesturing. They all appeared to be standing ready to attack.
"God damn bitch!" the guy yelled.
Molly screamed. It wasn't pain or fear. It was something primal. She had attacked in an attempt to protect her life. Gunshots followed. Jack felt his heart in his throat. His stomach wasn't far behind. Panic filled him as he feared the worst for his sister. But this was different than anything he'd ever experienced. The feeling drove him to action.
"Dammit," the guy said. "She made it deeper in the woods."
Flashlight beams cut into the trees, but didn't make it far into the tangled weave of branches and leaves. Molly knew the woods as well as Jack and Sean. Hell, she'd shown them secret spots they never managed to find on their own.
"All right," the guy said. "You two stay here. The rest, come with me. Let's find this bitch."
With the men's attention focused on Molly and the woods, Jack knew it was time to make his escape from under the porch. He turned over, reached up and grabbed a beam, then pulled himself out from underneath. As he sat up, he heard a creaking sound. The guy stood five feet away, glancing over his shoulder into the house.
Chapter 19
Reality set in when we were alone. The detective in Reese took a back seat, and she broke down. My shirt grew damp with her tears as I held her tight. After the initial wave, she told me she needed a little time alone. She went to her bedroom and locked the door behind her.
Through the blinds I studied the front and rear areas outside the apartment. The unmarked car was parked in plain view out front, at the end of the driveway. The lone plain clothes officer. It wouldn't stay that way long. He was lending a hand, and would be relieved at some point. Hell, I didn't know if he was a member of the town's department, or a highway patrol officer that lived close. I decided to keep a close watch on the guy. He wasn't planning on being here. I figured he had less staying power for the job than if he were on duty. If I was going to make a move, it'd be about the time he zoned out.
On the other side of the apartment was a simple maze of fence and clothesline that led from the garage, past the house, and through a neighbor's yard. I could manage it without being spotted if I climbed out the back window. Something to consider if things took a turn for the worse. Of course, Vernon might anticipate that, and would have an officer waiting on the next street over.
I stepped out front for a breath of fresh air. The storm had passed, and a cool breeze cleared the sky of the dark clouds. The slight gusts left the area smelling fresh. The sun hovered in the western sky. It felt warm, but the heat and humidity had gone with the storm.
The cop stepped out of the car, leaned back against the rear door. He adjusted his shirt, showing me his pistol. His palm rested on top.
"Easy there, fella," I said. "Just getting some air."
He said nothing, remaining still, his gaze fixed on me. The guy lived by the book. Definitely a state trooper. He'd be easy to get past, if necessary.
I picked up on the low rumble of a diesel engine. No doubt the truck from earlier. It drove past the closest intersection. The older man's arm rested on the window frame. The passenger seat was empty. I glanced back, wondering if he had dropped Linus or someone else off a few blocks away. Perhaps they were approaching, holding off on their attack until the guy gave them the signal to make a move.
The engine faded, then grew louder, getting closer. I saw the truck again, this time headed toward me. I wanted to run in and tell Reese to ready herself, but then I'd provide them the opportunity to reposition without my seeing.
The GMC stopped at the end of the street, idling. I heard the door open, then close. He never exited, though. He remained there, stared at me for a few moments. Then he drove off.
The officer never looked back. His only responsibility was to keep tabs on me. Hell with everything else. Didn't matter there was a murder investigation going on. A chill slithered down my spine as I realized they'd already determined their number one suspect.
"You see nothing wrong with that?" I said.
"With what?" he said.
"That creeper stopping down there and staring at me."
"Didn't see anything," he said. "How can there be something wrong when there was nothing for me to see?"
"The hell is wrong with you people? Got no damn clue how to operate a homicide investigation."
I walked back to the apartment. Behind me, the officer returned to his vehicle. The door slammed and the engine revved. But the car didn't move. I figured it wouldn't, either.
When I reached the top of the stairs, I found Reese standing in the kitchen. S
he had her back to me and was wearing considerably less clothing than the last time I'd seen her. Just a pair of tiny gym shorts and a cut off t-shirt. She stood in front of the coffee maker as a fresh pot brewed. The aroma of the dark roast and anticipation of caffeine had me feeling more alert already. Or maybe it was her clothes.
"Hope you don't mind," she said.
"The coffee," I said, "or the outfit?"
Her subtle smile distracted me from the situation. From everything, really. And, at the same time, she reminded me of every problem I'd faced in the past seven years. She'd entered my life around the same time that the Old Man, Feng, had. She had been involved when I nearly lost my life to a terrorist and her bastard ex-husband. She wasn't at fault, of course. Our paths, destinies perhaps, were intertwined. Was it random coincidence we'd found each other again in a tiny Texan town?
"What's going on outside?" She turned to face me and leaned back against the counter with her thumbs hooked in the waistband of her shorts.
"One of Texas's finest is positioned at the end of the driveway. I feel safe now, I guess."
"They're doing their job, Jack." She didn't try hard to disguise the fact she was lying. "You know how it is."
I didn't respond. Wasn't much to say that we both didn't already know.
The final rush of coffee raged through the machine like a class IV rapid. Reese poured two mugs and brought them to the table, then sat down, facing me. I leaned forward, inhaled the aromatic steam. It tinged the inside of my nostrils. The first sip went to work, relaxing my nerves. Taking me to a place where I wasn't so damned on edge. Hell, I'd been ready to take out a branch that was tapping on the window.
Reese dropped a sugar cube and a splash of cream in her mug. I took mine black, like usual. No point in messing with perfection. We drank in silence, though our gazes rarely left each other's. She traced an alternating pattern on her upper chest. I did my best not to follow her finger as it dropped lower.
She was first to break the silence. "So, what now?"
"For me?"
"You, me, us?"
"I expect someone will be by to escort me, and possibly you, too, to the station for some questioning."
"Probably a good idea we have our stories straight then. There's no way they'll allow us to be in the same room once they take you."
We had cobbled the story together on the fly. There was no harm in going over it a few more times. If one of us slipped up it would just invite another hour or two of interrogation, and a possible change from person of interest to suspect.
"You think they have reason to suspect me?" I asked. "I mean, I know they want to make me a suspect. It's too damn easy. But based on what you know, is there a reason to?"
She shrugged. Said nothing.
"Put on your detective hat, McSweeney. Would you suspect me?"
"Yes." There was no hesitation. No inflection in her voice. She said it straight and simple. "And in this town, that would be a very bad thing, Jack."
We spent the rest of the day inside. Another round of storms passed through, knocking out the power. It stayed down, even after the storm passed. I found myself drifting off on the couch, watching the last traces of the sunset.
Chapter 20
I leapt from the couch, arms up, ready to strike the source of the noise. All I struck, though, was the low-rise coffee table with my shin. I went down hard, twisting so I landed on my side. Cool air from the floor vent washed over my bare torso, chilling the sweat that coated my skin.
A loud rap at the door startled me again. I hopped up, turned toward the source of the noise. Where did Reese keep her handgun? Even if I knew, it wouldn't matter in the pitch black.
A flood of light penetrated the room. Reese stepped through the doorway, wearing a blue robe, cinched tight at the waist. She led with one arm out. The other was behind her back. She called me off as I jumped ahead of her to go downstairs.
"My house," she said. "I'll get it."
I shuffled back into the shadows. Figured it'd be better to remain out of sight, should Linus and one of his cronies be at the door. They'd clear the stairs and be sent sprawling.
The door creaked open. Reese didn't gasp or scream or call out for my help.
"Vernon?" she said. "You have any idea what time it is?"
"Of course I do, Billie." He cleared his throat. "And I'm sure you know why I'm here at this hour."
I moved to the top of the staircase so I had her in view. It'd also make things easier when Vernon came in for me. I was in plain sight. No chance of an accident.
The robe slipped off her left shoulder as she shrugged. "Oh, I don't know, Vern. Maybe you're out secretly recruiting for a new cult, and want to talk to me about it?"
I chuckled at her sarcastic remark. The man at the door didn't.
"Dammit, Billie. This'll be a lot easier if you two just come with me."
"Are we under arrest?" she asked.
"Of course not." There was a cough. "At least, not yet."
"Vernon," Reese said. "Be straight with me here. Is Jack in serious trouble?"
"I don't suspect you," he said. "But we need to spend some time with you and your cousin. And I mean together. We're not gonna go and split you up right yet. Just want to ask you both some questions. Review some details of the crime scene, and what you might remember. Things like that."
"Things like that," she repeated. "All right. You guys wait here. We'll be out in a minute."
The door made it ninety percent of the way shut, but bounced back before latching. A younger officer forced his way in. Reese blocked him from taking the stairs.
"I know you've got weapons in there," Vernon said. "Best if we keep an eye on you."
She pushed back against both of them. "None of you perverts are watching me get changed."
I chuckled again. The men at the door didn't.
Again.
"Just do what you gotta do, Billie." Vernon stepped through the doorway, positioned himself next to the younger officer inside, and then aimed a finger at me. "When Miles gets up there, you're to throw a shirt and some pants on and come outside with me."
I stood there until the young guy got up top. He didn't blink as I dressed. We then headed down and waited at the base of the stairs for a few minutes. The clouds had rolled out, leaving behind a freckled night sky, revealing every star visible to the human eye right then. The thought crossed my mind that it might be the last time I had a full view of the sky without bars obstructing it.
Or a casket and six feet of dirt.
I considered running. But with two cops standing there, one was bound to get a shot off.
Reese joined us downstairs, and Vernon led us to his car. I half expected him to cuff me, but he didn't. Reese slid across the backseat. I sat next to her. Vernon assumed the driver's seat with the young guy up front next to him.
I detected the rumble of that damn diesel engine in the moments before Vernon fired the ignition. The dark street gave no hints as to the location of the pickup, or if it were nearby at all. I was on full alert. Adrenaline was pumping. It could've been my mind messing with me.
"What is it?" Reese leaned toward me. Her hair brushed against my cheek. Short, quick breaths blew hot against my neck.
Why hadn't I brought up the thing with Darrow? How the boy had used his name, and him showing up in his truck earlier that day. As much as I needed to find out what Reese knew about the guy, now wasn't the time.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
"What're you two talking about?" Vernon asked.
Neither of us responded. I caught his gaze in the mirror. His eyes looked like coal in the dark.
"All right," he muttered. "Let's take a drive."
It was freezing in the car. They'd left it running with the AC on full blast while inside the house. Reese pushed her arm and leg into mine as she squeezed in closer.
The cruiser rolled forward with another car close behind. Its headlights cast shadows inside our vehicle. After a few tur
ns, we were separated from each other. Or they'd fallen behind. Easy to do with the number of turns it took to navigate town. But we hadn't turned recently. It only took another minute for me to recognize that the route we were on would lead us out of town. I glanced at Reese, whose puzzled look confirmed what I feared.
A few moments later, she said, "Vernon? Where are you taking us?"
Vernon remained silent. His young ward glanced at him for a second. There was fear in his eyes. They were breaking protocol, and in turn, the law. Reese took the opportunity to pounce on the kid.
"Miles," she said. "What's going on here?"
"Uh," he said. "I'm not sure, ma'am."
"Miles," Vernon said. "Shut up, OK? Don't speak unless I tell you what to say. Got it?"
Miles nodded and turned toward his window. Whatever happened now definitely wouldn't be by the book.
Chapter 21
Reese spent five minutes asking questions she never received answers to. Vernon gave up telling her to remain quiet. Once she finally stopped pestering him, we spent the next ten minutes in silence.
We rolled out of town to the east, and then turned off the highway to the south on a one lane paved road. From there I lost track of where we were after a series of turns that led us to a rutted dirt road. The cruiser plowed along, bouncing and scraping and sending me and Reese careening into the door and each other.
"It's a funny thing, Jack," Vernon said, breaking the silence. "You show up to our peaceful little town just a couple days ago, raise hell with a couple locals, and sure as shit now I got a double homicide on my hands." He revved the engine, breaking free from the dried mud tracks we'd been following. "Doesn't that seem like an odd coincidence to you?"
I cleared my throat of the dust and grime that had accumulated during the drive. "Well—"
"Shut up," he said. "I don't want to hear a goddamn word out of you right now."
I hadn't heard anger from him like that before. Not even at the old couple's house after they'd been murdered. The knot in my stomach grew as doubts rose that either of us would make it back to town alive.
