Wanna Play (Ghost Unit, Book Three)

by Faulkner, Gail

  “How did you recognize him? I don’t understand. How would he know you did?” Jas asked as Liana started trembling.

  Jose handed her a bottle of water. She took a long drink and smiled softly at him before turning to Jas. “I was at the awards ceremony. Recognition happened through a combination of things. His voice, his touch and his scent. When he leaned in to shake my hand and congratulate me, I knew exactly who he was. I froze and stared at him for a horrified second. He must have recognized the look. He knew I knew. He didn’t miss a beat though, just kept on talking smoothly with a smile on his face. But his hand, he squeezed my hand very hard. It sort of snapped me out of it. His eyes were so cold, Jas. I felt like puking on the spot. But I was too afraid to.

  “Oh God. I panicked and left the event. I drove home and called Cable Bourne’s cell phone. I was terrified and wanted him to know. I don’t even remember the man’s name, but I told Cable he was in Homeland Security. Cable said it was really important that I didn’t tell anyone else. If this man really was who I thought he was, things could be dangerous. He said the man’s DNA would be in government records. If the sample we have could actually be matched to him, it’d come up on any military-type search.

  “Cable told me to lock the doors and windows and not open for anyone. He’d be back in Washington in the morning and we’d figure out what to do. But the next morning Cable was dead.” Liana covered face with her hands. “I killed Cable by calling him.”

  “No! No you didn’t. None of this is your fault.” Jas pulled Liana’s hands away from her face, leaning in to look her in the eye. “You know what victim mentality is, stop it. Don’t give the abuser even this much of you. Not again.”

  Jose couldn’t take it. “Hijo de puta! Son of a bitch! That one is not worth another tear from your eye, querida mía.” His body folded onto his haunches beside Liana while he wrapped an arm around her as if he’d like to envelop her into his being. “You should have told me instead of running from me, princess. I know we’d just split, but hell, I didn’t expect you to vanish. We could have worked things out. Even this.”

  Jose looked around Liana at Jas. “And why didn’t you tell me? I had a right to know. You knew the breakup was temporary. I thought you were my friend, Jas.”

  “I was busy trying to keep us alive, Jose. It was dicey at the beginning,” Jas snapped in irritation. “Besides, wasn’t my call. If Liana refused to tell you, I had to leave it alone.”

  “Hey,” Blaster interjected coolly. “The problem is right now. Let’s focus on fixing it. If I understand correctly, Liana remembers more than Jas does of the actual events and now she can identify the perpetrator and make it stick with DNA evidence. The bastard knows she made him and he happens to be in Homeland Security. That would normally make him one formidable motherfucker. What we need to do is work with our advantages and use them against him.”

  Calmly Blaster outlined the strengths of their position as he saw them. “We have several things he doesn’t. One is knowledge. We know Jas is alive, he doesn’t. We know who he is. He incorrectly thinks Liana is alone and running scared.

  “Liana is not alone and she now has a damn nasty Unit of men on her side. We’re not helpless. We’re the fucking scary ones. We can move faster and harder than he can. He’s handicapped with having to justify himself to a government.

  “The thing we need to come up with is a plan to take care of him. We should move fast before they figure out Jas isn’t several million body parts on that mountain.”

  Blaster continued, looking into Liana’s eyes. “This Unit is retired from the military. That doesn’t mean we’re dysfunctional. At this moment you have one of the most elite forces on the planet at your disposal. I’m not bragging. I’m trying to impress you with the fact that you two are not going to be running from this guy. He’s going to be fucking running from you. Besides,” Blaster raised a brow and indicated Jose with his chin, “this guy is damn formidable himself. Even if Jas didn’t bring the Unit into this, he would have taken care of it.”

  Jose sighed and nodded slightly at Blaster. “He’s right, cariña mía. The fool only thinks he’s working his problems. He’s going to learn the cost of playing shortly.”

  Liana smiled and wilted back into her chair. “You’re all trying to wrap me in cotton so I don’t break. All I need is some sleep but even without it, I’m not that breakable. I’ll be fine. I wish I could remember his name. I don’t think he told me because I froze. He knew I recognized him and he just kept talking but he wasn’t saying anything. Then I left. I didn’t think to ask anyone his name. Next morning, the first thing I saw was the news of the airplane crash. I borrowed a car from one of the women at the center and took off.”

  Jackson was flipping the hash browns, he asked casually, “Your cell phone? Did you bring it, Miss Allacosta?”

  “Yes, but I took the battery out. I’m not stupid. He could have tracked me with it.”

  “Excellent,” Jackson approved.

  Gray searched Liana’s face for a moment before he asked, “Miss Allacosta, have you seen the news recently?”

  Liana frowned. “No, why?”

  Gray glanced at Jose then back at Liana. “I didn’t realize you two hadn’t heard yet. Carman Allacosta was arrested early this morning by Homeland Security. It was done with full network coverage.”

  “Oh my God!” Liana turned pale as she stared at Gray.

  Gray reached across the table, his large hand covering Liana’s as he continued into her stricken face. “It’s bad, I know. But it’s also the best thing he could have done. No, let me finish so you understand.” Gray gently tightened his hold on Liana’s hand. “This is an obvious move to force you to come to him. But it’s also a huge lie. It gives us documented evidence of his abuse of office when the time comes. Rest assured he can’t afford to hurt your mother. She is his bargaining chip with you.

  “As soon as he made that move he told us who he is. His name is Harry Kauffman. He holds a slightly higher than middle management position in Homeland. The action proved that he doesn’t know who we are or that we’re involved. Right now Miguel, the missing member of the Unit is shadowing your mother’s position. Miguel is Latin American. He can communicate clearly with her if he needs to get her out on an emergency basis. According to Miguel, she’s fine so far. They’ve not spoken to her and she’s afraid but all they did was put her in a cell.

  “We’d rather not break any laws to get her out. It’s better if all the lawbreaking is done by Harry Kauffman. Your mother is in no jeopardy. We can have her out or at least out of this man’s control at any time if we need to. His leverage over you is an illusion.”

  Liana stared at Gray, her face pale and set, eyes narrowed. “You’re sure she’s safe? This man—Miguel—has seen her?”

  “Yes,” Gray answered flatly. The lack of elaboration made the statement ring with honesty.

  “Your team is really that good? You already have a person on her, you know who the rapist is and you’re all willing to help us? Willing to get my mother out even if you have to break laws to save her? For strangers?” Liana pressed.

  Gray sat back releasing Liana’s hand and glanced at Blaster with a raised brow. “You want to explain? I believe this is your family, Samuel.”

  Blaster’s arm rested along the back of Jas’ chair as he shifted sideways so his legs straddled her seat, his other hand on the table lightly stroking her arm which rested there as he looked past her to Liana. “Not strangers, Liana. Tell me something, before the incident in Atlanta you and Jas were simply close friends, right?”

  Liana nodded.

  “After going through hell together you were sisters by a right deeper than blood. You didn’t abandon each other. You found trust lives on a whole new level. That’s how a combat unit becomes welded together. We know for a fact that these few men will be at our back even as we march through hell because they’ve proved it. It’s also how abuse survivors become brothers regardless of parentage. B
arry, the director of the movie Jas is working on, is my brother by right. Just as Jas is your family by right.

  “Barry called me because the movie was having serious security problems involving his star. Barry’s problems are my problems and I come with this family, these other men who are my brothers as well.

  “But it’s more than that now. Your sister Jas makes it more. She and I are involved and it’s not causal. So you see? You and your mother become my family because you are Jas’ family. These brothers of mine will risk life for my family because I am one of them.

  “That’s only one reason you see the warriors gathered here. The other reason is as powerful. What happened to you ladies is wrong. This man—Harry Kauffman—is a sick predator who must be stopped. He offends us at the core of our value system as humans and as military men. Given the opportunity and information, we would do this for strangers, Liana. We’d damn well enjoy it too. That’s how deeply we’re offended by this bastard.”

  Liana nodded and smiled shyly. “You should be a lawyer. You make a hell of an argument.”

  Jas took Liana’s hand in hers as she chuckled. “He does, doesn’t he?” The two girls sobered looking at each other. “You willing to trust them?” Jas asked softly. “We’re going to finish this and get Carmen back. They make the job a hell of a lot easier but you and I could throw on fatigues and get the job done, ya know. We’re Marines. We can take care of this pissant.”

  Liana’s face was serious as she leaned into Jas and said in a stage whisper, “You don’t think for one minute that they wouldn’t be there, do you?”

  Jas’ smile was slow and wide. “No,” she whispered just as loudly. The two of them laughed as they sat back and looked at the men who’d all stopped what they were doing to watch the exchange.

  Movement around the kitchen resumed as a massive amount of eggs, bacon, sausages and potatoes were in frying pans and the oven. The room was filled with comforting smells and the low rumble of male voices as food was prepared.

  “Good, that’s settled.” Gray nodded, his pale eyes strangely warm. “Miss Allacosta, can you tell us what Kauffman said to your mother in the message he left with her right after you left L.A.? He obviously thought it was enough to get you in and viewed your remaining on the run as defiance.”

  “Ah, I can tell you what my mom told me but I don’t think it’s a word-for-word replay. She was upset when I called her from the road and wouldn’t tell her where I was or where I was going. In the phone call to her, a man identified himself as a close friend of mine and told her I’d know who it was from his message. He said I would want to keep our friendship private as we were both public figures so he wasn’t leaving his name. Then he offered condolences for both my losses. Now that I was free from the two who controlled me, I was to feel confident in his protection since we had a mutual interest that he needed to discuss with me. Please call him immediately and that I already had his number.”

  Liana spread her hands in a shrug. “It was confusing. His using the phrase ‘both losses’ and calling me ‘free now from the two who had controlled me’. That told me the other death had to be the only other person who knew what Cable knew. That was Jas. I was sure she was dead because there was no question Cable was dead. I had no idea what he meant by his protection and that I had his number.”

  “Gezzzus,” Rem growled from the stove where he was making scrambled eggs that smelled suspiciously gourmet. “Filter that through a sick mind and you come up with a bast…jerk who needs a new pimp.”

  “What?” Jas and Liana said at the same time.

  “Amazing.” Gray’s face was grim.

  “It’s logical.” Jackson spoke as he turned hash browns on a large sheet that he shoved back in the oven. “She has access to hundreds of his favorite flavor in women.”

  “Yeah,” Charlie agreed, “and he just blew up his old pimp. He needs a new supplier and cleanup crew.”

  “Freakin brass ones,” Blaster whistled a low exclamation. “Can he be that delusional? Obviously Larkin never mentioned our involvement to this idiot.”

  “Fits his profile,” Gray confirmed. “He lost any sense of right and wrong long ago and has been ‘acting’ for a very long time. Mimicking normal people to fit in.” Gray scowled as he went on. “Larkin had to know Kauffman was getting close to an edge. That’s why Larkin was cleaning house. He was getting rid of evidence that would connect him to Kauffman. I don’t believe he went to the cabin expecting to die.”

  “When I was looking into Robert Larkin I found he comes from Hoffman’s hometown. They joined up together but went to separate branches. It doesn’t look like they hooked up again for quite a few years. Then they were both stationed in Germany. As you know, the profile on Larkin says he’s a victim who became his abuser’s accomplice. He displayed the classic drives, always striving for approval and always expendable. I think whatever brought these two together happened long before they joined up. There hasn’t been time to fully investigate.”

  Gray continued to explain. “Think of Kauffman as a junkie. He’s been sinking deeper and deeper into his habit for years. The reality he perceives is no longer what the rest of us see. Now he needs to know where his next fix is coming from. Until he has that securely nailed down, he will continue getting more and more out of control. He also believes he’s invincible. Look how long he’s gotten away with his lifestyle. Those delusions make him an idiot and he doesn’t know it.”

  “His next fix?” Liana asked. “You think he is setting me up to…” She trailed off. “Ohh!”

  “Yes,” Gray confirmed her exclamation. “You run a woman’s shelter. You have access to hundreds of women with no one to run to. You are a perfect supplier. He obviously perceives you as weak and alone. He feels he has you right where he wants you.”

  “Surprise, surprise,” Jas murmured. “This is going to be fun.”

  “Given all that, there are a few things that are a nuisance,” Gray continued. “Even though he’s unbalanced morally, he’s extremely intelligent. Even brilliant. So the hard, messy push to eliminate Carson, Larkin and Bourne, your attorney, seems hasty and way too public. Blowing up a plane full of important people is a high-risk operation. Blowing up a cabin, not as much, but still state and local officials get involved on the scene.

  “He always intended to use the cabin as a trap, though I doubt he knew exactly who it would be for. He had it wired and armed, ready for use, but the lack of follow through on that event indicates a hasty operation. If it were planned, there would have been someone following you away from the site, Jas. At the very least, he should have had a sniper at the airfield where our plane was parked.”

  “Blowing up a cabin?” Liana asked. “Larkin is dead?”

  “Yeah,” Jas explained. “Kauffman led me to believe Larkin had tortured and killed you to get me up to the cabin outside of Atlanta. I was supposed to die in the trap he’d set. He managed to get Larkin. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  Gray continued. “Taking down the plane in Florida was done fast and dirty but still a smart kill. Eliminating everyone on board was cover ensuring no one will know there was only one mark. My question is, why do that one so fast? What is he worried about? He didn’t want the evidence released, but logically he had a scapegoat in Larkin’s death. If the evidence you took from the original scene is as indistinct as you say it is, this level of malice would not be needed.”

  Platters of food were placed in middle of the table as Gray talked. Plates and utensils were handed out mess-hall style, fast as possible. A couple of chairs were dragged in from the dining room and everyone sat. They all filled plates in silence.

  “So you’re wondering if there is something else on the disk?” Jas asked after she’d taken a few bites.

  “Yeah. Maybe something that has nothing to do with the event you were involved in. Since you took the disk, Kauffman might not be sure if whatever he’s worried about is on it or not. That would explain his bei
ng unwilling to stir this pot if he doesn’t have to for this many years. He may not have been the one behind the attacks on the set. Those were generic compared to the action after Miss Allacosta recognized him.” Gray agreed with her.

  “I see where you’re going with this,” Blaster added thoughtfully. “Larkin could have been the one getting worried about Jas’ position for his own reasons. She knew who he was. She could hurt his career. Kauffman didn’t have a reason to be concerned until Liana made him. The hard push and attempt to recover the evidence came within twenty-four hours of Liana shaking Kauffman’s hand.”

  “Did you see or hear anything out of place when you reviewed the disk?” Rem asked.

  Jas glanced at Liana, who was barely picking at a few bits of food on her plate. “I’m the only one who looked at the disk. I didn’t view it all they way through.” Jas took a long drink of coffee that had been passed around the table. “It opened after we’d been restrained. I watched a minute of it. I don’t have memories of the events and I didn’t want them. All I did was confirm it was what I thought it was, dupe it down and stash the original.”