Exposed

by C. M. Sutter

  In the kitchen, Max yanked out drawers until he found paper and a pen. With the pad of paper on the breakfast bar, he wrote a note to Jade.

  Tit for tat—isn’t that what they say, Sergeant Monroe? You should have stayed home and protected your family with that big gun of yours. Now that guilt can be your very own prison sentence. It’s a real shame, you know—your old man could have been a worthy adversary if it wasn’t for that bum knee of his. I wonder who will be next. How about you, Jade? Wanna play?

  Max read the note twice and decided it was perfect. He placed it on Tom’s bloody chest, walked through the shards of glass, and disappeared into the stormy night.

  Chapter 60

  The deputies surrounded the two-story residence on Timberline Road and moved in. Lights shined through the lower level windows and indicated that somebody had been there, or still was. One car stood parked in the driveway near the garage. With every side of the house covered, Jack, three deputies, and I approached the front door. I turned the knob—it was locked. With our guns drawn, I nodded and kicked in the door.

  A startled man, woman, and two children jumped at the sight of us rushing the family room.

  “What the hell is going on?” the man yelled out as he shielded his family.

  I pointed at the two adults. “You and you, get on the floor, now. Deputy Knowles, get these kids out of here.” I waved off the other deputies. “Search this house top to bottom and have the guys outside search the perimeter.” Deputy Knowles took the crying children to another room while I did a quick scan of the immediate area. Nothing seemed amiss.

  Jack called the deputies stationed outside. “Make sure everything is clear, including that shed out back.” He knelt over the man and woman on the floor. “What’s your names, and who called in the knife attack?”

  The man looked up at Jack. “Knife attack? What in the world are you talking about? Nobody from this house called in a knife attack. Who in their right mind would be outside on a night like this, anyway?”

  “What are your names?”

  “Jesse and Lynn Bryant. Our kids are Missy and Braden. What the hell is going on? You scared the shit out of us.”

  I spoke up. “I’ll ask the questions, Mr. Bryant. Do you have a house phone?”

  “No—just our cells.”

  “I need to see them now.”

  I turned when Deputy Knowles approached me. “Sergeant, the deputies cleared the house and grounds. Everything looks normal.”

  I nodded. “Both of you, get up. Deputy Knowles, pat them down.”

  “Is that really necessary?” Lynn asked.

  I raised my brow and gave her a longer than necessary scowl. “Yes, it is.”

  “They’re good, Sergeant.”

  “Okay, where are the cell phones? I need both of them now.”

  “May I?” Jesse asked as he jerked his chin toward the kitchen.

  “Deputy, go with him.”

  Mr. Bryant and Deputy Knowles rounded the corner and returned a minute later. Jesse had both cell phones in his hand.

  “They were on the chargers in case the power went out. We wanted fully charged phones. They’ve been in the kitchen for over an hour.”

  I took them and handed one to Jack. “Check the recent outgoing calls.”

  We both scrolled the call logs. There hadn’t been an outgoing call since four o’clock on Jesse’s phone and two o’clock on Lynn’s.

  I sighed with frustration. It wasn’t Max after all. It was nothing more than a crank call by some idiot that sent us out on a wild-goose chase on the worst night of the season. We apologized to the Bryant family and left.

  As the deputies climbed in their squad cars and drove away, Jack and I stood on the covered porch alone.

  “What do you make of that call?” I asked. “Somebody just happened to think it was cool to send half of Washburn County out to a possible murder scene? I swear I’ll never understand people.”

  Jack shook his head. “I hear you, partner.” He squeezed my shoulder and tipped his head toward the cars. “Go home and get out of those wet clothes. Enjoy the rest of the night with your family. Tomorrow morning comes early enough, and we’ll have a busy day ahead of us. Drive carefully, Jade.”

  “Yeah, see you bright and early.” I ran to my car and climbed in. I’d be back in the thick of that card game in twenty minutes. I was sure my dad was winning.

  I called Amber’s phone as I drove. It went straight to voicemail.

  Well, that’s weird.

  I called my dad’s phone and his did the same, but I left a message, anyway. “Hey, Dad, ask Amber to make a pot of coffee. The call was a false alarm, I’m soaked, and a cup of coffee would taste really good right now. See you in a few minutes.”

  I tossed my phone on the passenger seat and continued on.

  Ten minutes later, I turned into Ashbury Woods, and as I neared my house, I noticed all the lights were off. I looked left and right at the other homes in the cul-de-sac, and they all had electricity.

  What the hell is going on? There’s no way they went to bed already.

  As I pulled into the driveway, I hit the button on the remote to open the overhead. Nothing happened.

  Damn batteries.

  I pressed the button again. It was as dead as a doornail.

  “Oh for Pete’s sake.” I killed the engine and got out. I clicked the fob to lock my car and ran for the front door. As I fumbled with the house key, I realized the porch light was out too. I turned back and looked at all of the houses on the street one more time—fully lit. “Okay, I’m totally not understanding this.” I unlocked the door, turned the knob, and stepped into the foyer. “Amber, what’s going on?” I flipped the light switch up and down. The house was pitch black. “Dad? Amber? Where are you guys?”

  I remembered Amber had placed the flashlight on the breakfast bar before I left. I felt my way through the dark with my outstretched hands. I bumped into drawers pulled out in the kitchen as I slid my hand along the breakfast bar for the flashlight. I finally felt its shape and wrapped my hand around it, then clicked it on. I turned around and did a quick scan with the light.

  “What the hell?”

  Every drawer in the kitchen was pulled out. Wind and rain blew through the family room. My gut instantly knotted with fear, and my heart pounded in my chest.

  “Amber, Dad, where are you?” I screamed out their names but got no response.

  I jammed the flashlight under my arm and pulled out my pistol. As I stepped around the breakfast bar, glass shards crunched under my feet. I flicked the light back and forth, then caught the image of the recliner. A double length of rope wrapped the chair and was tied at the back.

  “No, no, no, no. Please, God, no, no, no!”

  I ran to the chair and shined the light. The sight in front of me was indescribable. I screamed at the brutality and ached with pain at seeing my dad that way. I spun around and shined the light through the family room. I didn’t see Amber anywhere.

  “Amber, Amber! Please, God, Amber, where are you?”

  I hugged the wall as I slunk down the hallway. The flashlight’s beam hit Amber’s phone, smashed and lying on the floor in front of her bedroom. Spaz hissed as he scurried past me. A low moan came from Amber’s room. I shined the light at the broken door then panned the area. A glimmer of hope caught in my throat when I saw her. Amber lay under the window, wedged between her bed and the desk. She was alive but injured. I had to call for help.

  “Amber, honey, don’t try to move. I have to get my phone and call 9-1-1.”

  Tears blurred my vision as I raced back to the kitchen, where I’d dropped my purse. I wiped my eyes so I could see the numbers on my phone.

  The operator answered at the police department’s emergency number. “9-1-1, what is your emergency?”

  I could barely talk, but my police training kicked in. I had to speak clearly so the operator could understand me. “This is Sergeant Jade Monroe with the sheriff’s department. I ne
ed an ambulance at my house fast. One officer is down, and a civilian is badly injured. Hurry!” I gave them my address and hung up, then called the sheriff’s department. I recognized Bob Kennedy’s voice when he picked up at the dispatch desk. “Bob, it’s Jade. I need everyone at my house immediately. It’s an emergency. Get a generator too. There’s no electricity here. I have an ambulance dispatched already. Bob, it’s bad—really bad. Call Jack, call Clark, call everyone!”

  I quickly cleared the house then ran back to Amber. A few minutes later, I heard the faint sound of sirens in the distance.

  I comforted Amber through my sobs. “They’re coming, honey. Just hang on for me. Dad would want you to fight.”

  I lay on the floor next to her and cradled her injured body. I couldn’t help my dad—it was too late for him, and my heart broke with agony. I didn’t know if I could get through the pain.

  The sound got closer, then broke through the roar of the thunder and lightning cracks. I heard the shrill siren outside, then people charged through the door. They were here—they’d save Amber, and I could take another breath.

  Jack’s voice was the first I recognized. “Jade, Jade, where are you?”

  My sobs echoed through the hallway. “Jack, I’m in Amber’s bedroom. She needs the EMTs.”

  I held the flashlight up so he could see us when he entered the room. The EMTs were right behind him.

  “Over here, guys.” Jack pointed at Amber then cleared a space for them to get through.

  “Do you know what her injuries are, ma’am?”

  “No, it’s too dark, I can barely see anything.” I screamed out through my tears. “We need some light in here!”

  I heard Clark’s voice in the family room as he was directing people in. “Get that generator going so we can see what we have. We need lights up, now!”

  The sound of a gas engine started, and a few rooms lit up.

  “Ma’am, we need you to step back so we can get her on a gurney.”

  Amber was moaning, and I was living my worst nightmare.

  Clark yelled out orders from somewhere in the house. “Go through this house and make sure it’s clear. Somebody get the electric company out here to restore power and call a repair service. I want this patio door sealed up, now!”

  Jack helped me up and led me down the hall. I didn’t want to see what lay ahead of us.

  Clark stood in front of the recliner to block my view. He yelled out to Horbeck, “Get that blanket off the couch and cover Tom up. Holy Mother of God!”

  My knees buckled beneath me. Jack helped me to a chair and sat me down. I buried my face in his shoulder and wept.

  Chapter 61

  Two days had passed since that devastating night. I sat in Amber’s hospital room and held her hand while she slept. Our mom sat on a chair to my left. Amber would be okay, thank God. Her shoulder was dislocated, and the doctor wanted to monitor the head injury she’d sustained when she was thrown against the wall. The concussion left her with seven stitches in her hairline, and she was still confused and dizzy, but she was getting better. The doctor said she’d make a full recovery, she just needed time and rest.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and checked the screen. A text from Jack said he was in the hallway by the nurses’ station.

  I stood and tiptoed toward the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, Mom.” I pulled the curtain closed behind me.

  Jack saw me and headed my way. “Need a coffee?”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  We took the elevator to the lower level where the cafeteria was located. Jack bought two coffees, and we sat at the table facing the serenity garden. I remembered only a few days ago when Amber and I sat in the same spot while Dad had his surgery.

  I broke down and cried. “Jack, what am I supposed to do? We have nothing on Max. There haven’t been any sightings, there’s no news. He killed my dad and nearly killed Amber, and now he’s trying to pull me into his game—he’s taunting me. You read that note. He wants me to come after him.”

  “Jade, let law enforcement do its job. Don’t take this on by yourself.”

  I pounded the table and spilled my coffee. “Law enforcement didn’t save Theresa Gardino and the countless others he’s killed. Hell, I couldn’t even save my own dad from that monster. I let that son of a bitch kill my dad, Jack.” I buried my face in my hands. “I can’t do what I need to do—I’m stuck within Washburn County boundaries.”

  Jack reached for my hand and squeezed it. “What does that mean?”

  “I mean I’m resigning from the sheriff’s department.”

  “Jade, give it some time. Your pain is so raw. It’s too soon to make life-changing decisions, and Amber really needs you now. Judge Gardino just buried Theresa, and we still have to get through your dad’s funeral. I’ll help you figure out what to do about his home and belongings, but there’s no rush. Let’s take things one day at a time. I’ll always be there for you. Just say the word—I’ll help you with anything.”

  “I appreciate that, Jack, and I’m going to hold you to that promise, but I’ve made up my mind. Tomorrow, I’m going to have the toughest conversation I’ve ever had in my life with Lieutenant Clark.”

  Chapter 62

  We sat in the conference room together, just the lieutenant and me. I wanted to keep our conversation private. I knew everyone would be watching through the wall of glass if we had conducted our meeting in the lieutenant’s office.

  We took the first half hour discussing necessities. How was Amber? Did I call about getting an alarm system installed? Did I order new glass and wrought-iron patio doors?

  We discussed the funeral plans for my dad. The mention of him being dead still made my breath catch in my throat. I could barely talk about it without breaking down or becoming physically ill.

  Many of Dad’s colleagues from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were flying in for the services. He would have a formal police escort all the way to the cemetery by the North Bend police and sheriff’s departments.

  “What about your dad’s home, Jade?”

  “I’ll figure it out in time. His mortgage was paid off, so for now I’ll hire a service to keep an eye on the place. Boss—”

  “I’m not sure I want to hear what you’re going to say, Monroe.”

  I gave him a weak smile. “Jack’s already clued you in?”

  “Tell me you aren’t resigning.”

  “I can’t. I have to do what I have to do. Other than going rogue, which I won’t, I need to spread my reach a little farther—like the entire United States.”

  “So, what are you saying?”

  “Originally I thought of going to California, living with my dad, and joining his department or southern California’s local branch of the FBI. I know it’s something Amber wants to do down the road too.”

  Clark nodded. “I’ve heard her mention that.”

  I wiped my eyes. “I guess there’s no need to go to California anymore. Boss, this is something my gut has been telling me to do. I’ve already spoken with a friend of my dad’s from the FBI. Dave Spencer is his name, and he’s a supervisory special agent in the serial crimes unit. He’s here for Dad’s funeral, and we met up last night. He was sure he could pull the right strings to get me located at the Milwaukee field office after my training is complete. Having their resources at my disposal is the only way to put Max Sims away for good. I’ll never be able to do my dad justice and honor his legacy unless I catch his killer.”

  Clark handed me a tissue.

  “Please don’t make it harder on me, boss, by trying to talk me out of it.”

  “I understand your reasoning, Jade, but being in the FBI isn’t necessarily going to give you Max Sims on a silver platter.”

  “I know that, but I will find him, and when I do—”

  “Jade, I don’t want to hear the rest of that sentence. Your job as a public servant is to uphold the law.” Clark got up and closed the door. “You do under
stand that, don’t you? Tell me you aren’t going vigilante.”

  “I won’t—I’m just venting, but I do have a request, if you don’t mind.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Amber and Kate have both expressed their desire to work under your supervision when they finish the academy.”

  “Consider it done. They’ll make fine deputies. What about Jack? He’ll need a new partner.”

  “I think Horbeck would be a good fit.”

  Clark rubbed his chin and sighed. “You were a good fit. Jack is going to take this really hard.”

  “Boss, I’m not leaving North Bend. I’ll just buy warmer winter wear.”

  He chuckled.

  “We’ll still get together for patio parties in the summer and dinners anytime. You know what a great cook Amber is.”

  “That is true. What about Amber while you’re at Quantico?”

  “I’d like her to stay at my mom’s house until I get back. I think she’d feel safer, and I don’t want her living alone while I’m gone.”

  “Well, you know she’s like a daughter to all of us. We’ll keep our eyes on her too.”

  “And you’re like a second dad for us, and the guys are the brothers we’ve never had. You’re my extended family, and always will be.”

  “All right, there’s no need to prolong the agony. Let’s go to my office and sign the papers.”

  Chapter 63

  The void in the family room where the recliner had sat sent me into a round of tears every time I walked by. I moved an end table to that spot and added another chair.

  Today would be the hardest day of my life. We were burying our dad.

  After I dressed in my formal uniform, I helped Amber get ready for the services. The dislocated shoulder made it difficult for her to lift her arm above her head to get dressed. Mom came over to help.