by E. E. Borton
She noticed the picture of Sherriff Doyle’s daughter on the screen. Her smile disappeared. “Is that her?”
“Yeah,” said Chief. “Melissa Doyle; she’s nineteen and was probably taken a week before the attack.”
“She’s beautiful,” said Abby.
“I hope she still is,” said Evan, taking a serious tone. “I can’t imagine what that freak is doing to her.”
“More than likely, nothing but terrorizing her,” said Grey. “He needs her to be intact and healthy. I’m sure Sheriff Doyle requires some proof of life every time they connect. She’s still of great value to him, and he won’t hurt her until she’s not.”
“Connect?” asked Abby.
“Doyle probably gets some form of message alerting him to either a scheduled phone call or information drop,” said Chief. “I’m thinking some type of throwaway smart phone with a new number Doyle calls at predetermined times. In order for the unsub to control him, he needs to hear and see Melissa.”
“Where’s her mother?” asked Evan.
“Shelia Doyle died four years ago from brain cancer,” answered Chief. “She’s their only child.”
“He lost his wife and now some monster has his only daughter,” said Abby. “What do we do? How are we going to find her?”
“We’re not,” said Grey.
“What?”
“At least for now, Abby,” said Chief. “We have no idea where to start looking. More than likely she’s not with him, but she’s close. He’ll only be near her when he contacts the sheriff.”
“We need to focus on Ronnie,” said Grey. “He’s our first living subject that had some type of interaction with the unsub. The longer Kate stays alive, the shorter Ronnie’s life gets. We need to move on him fast.”
“Why is that?’ asked Evan.
“Chief and I agree the unsub is a professional,” said Grey. “He probably hasn’t been paid the full sum from Ronnie. When he does get paid, no doubt Ronnie is a dead man. But he doesn’t care about the money. He cares about getting caught, and the only person who can finger him is Kate. He knows as long as she’s alive there’s a chance he’ll be discovered. With that in mind, our priority is getting what we need from Ronnie. When we do, we’ll be closer to finding out who’s controlling the unsub. We can’t risk the time or energy right now to search for Melissa. I know that sounds shitty, but when we find the unsub, we find her.”
“Do you think she’ll still be alive when we do?” asked Abby, staring at Melissa’s picture.
Chief and Grey looked at each other, but neither wanted to answer; neither wanted to lie to her. They knew there was almost no chance of finding her in time.
The group was finishing the meeting when a tone on Grey and Chief’s cell phones alerted them to a visitor at the front gate. When they acknowledged the alert, their phones connected to the property security system allowing them to view their expected guest. Chief told Special Agent Carlos Ramirez that he would be out in a moment to pick him up.
Evan waited in the War Room while Grey and Abby entered the kitchen to make lunch. Abby looked around to make sure nobody was near and then pulled Grey in close. The move, and the kiss, surprised him.
“The camera is pointed at the door,” said Abby before Grey could speak. “I checked.”
“So it wasn’t a one night stand,” said Grey. “And by the way, nice entrance this morning.”
“That was only for you,” said Abby. “I never said anything about a one night stand. Unless, of course, that’s what you wanted it to be.”
“I do,” said Grey. “And I think we should have another one tonight.”
33
Eye for an Eye
GREY WAS IMPRESSED WITH EVAN’S progress on the construction. Three hours after Kate left the property for her eye surgery, he and his team had the frames erected that would divide the space into two rooms. They were preparing to install the two-way mirror when Grey was alerted that Kate was on her way back from the hospital.
He was waiting on the front steps as Chief parked the SUV. He could see the agents Carlos assigned to the protection detail securing the outside perimeter of the house. After one last look around the yard, Grey walked down to the vehicle and opened the door. “I take it everything went well?”
“Very,” said Abby, stepping out and making her way to the other side. “She did great.”
Grey followed her around to help Kate out of the vehicle. She was already standing outside by the time he reached her. “I thought you’d be a little wobbly.”
“No,” said Kate. “Just a little groggy from the sedation.”
“We’ll get you straight up to your room,” said Abby, taking her arm.
“Actually, the kitchen would be better,” said Kate. “I’m starving.”
Chief stayed on the front steps while the agents finished their sweep and returned to their vehicles parked outside of the gate. He then went to join Evan and help him keep an eye on the workers. He was almost as nervous as Grey about having strangers on the property.
Kate finished her meal, and Abby helped her up the stairs to her room. She came down a few minutes later with a message for Grey. She found him in the War Room thumbing through a file.
“She wants to talk to you,” said Abby. “Alone.”
“Is everything okay?”
“She seems to be in pretty good spirits,” said Abby, crossing her arms and glaring at him. “I’d really like it to stay that way; at least for a little while.”
Grey stood with a smile and walked over to her. “I’m sure she just wants an update on the construction. I’ll be gentle.”
He looked around and then kissed her on the forehead. Even with the gesture, she still maintained her glare as he backed away from her and turned the corner heading for the stairs.
“You wanted to see me?” asked Grey, peeking around her door.
“Yes,” said Kate, motioning for him to sit in the chair beside her. “I guess she forgot to tell you to bring me a glass of wine.”
“I guess she did. Do you want me to get you one?”
“No, that’s okay. Eventually she’ll figure out I don’t follow doctor’s orders very well.”
“Or anyone else’s.”
“Funny guy,” said Kate with a grin.
“Thank you,” said Grey. “You feeling less groggy?”
“Yes. The food helped. I’m just glad it’s over with. Well, at least this procedure.”
“Can I see it?”
“It’s the temporary piece,” said Kate, reaching up to remove the patch. “The permanent cover will be ready in a few weeks.”
Her head was down as she took off the patch. She slowly raised it to look Grey in the eyes. His grew wide, followed by a beaming smile.
“That is absolutely amazing,” said Grey, leaning in closer to her. “Amazing. If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t be able to tell which one is the prosthetic.”
“They did a good job,” said Kate, smiling back. “I was kind of digging the whole pirate thing I had going on, but I like this, too.”
“It even moves,” said Grey, shifting back and forth.
“A little,” said Kate. “But it should mimic the other eye’s movement more naturally as the muscles get stronger. That’ll take a little while.”
“You look beautiful, Kate. You really do.”
“I’m a long way from beautiful, Grey, but thank you,” said Kate, returning the patch over her eye. “They still want me to wear this until the permanent cover is ready.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
Kate paused while adjusting the patch. “Do you know what bothers me more than losing my eye?”
“What?”
“Losing my ring,” said Kate, looking down at her left hand.
The fact that she didn’t say her ring finger wasn’t missed by Grey. In spite of the incredible amount of physical trauma inflicted, the mental trauma caused her the most pain. To what degree still eluded everyone in the house, bu
t there was no doubt in anyone’s mind Kate was fighting an internal battle every second of every day. He was impressed with her stamina.
“We’re gonna get that back for you,” said Grey. “We’ll find it when we find him.”
“I know you’ll try. But even if you don’t find the ring, I’ll get what I need from him.”
The image of Abby standing with her arms crossed flashed in his head, but he couldn’t stop himself from speaking his mind. “Sometimes there’s a fine line between justice and revenge. I’m just afraid you might not get what you need when we get him. I worry about what’s going to happen to you if you don’t.”
“You know, I don’t think I ever thanked you,” said Kate, skirting the subject.
“For what?” asked Grey, allowing the subject change for the moment.
“For completely turning your life upside down,” said Kate. “You left everything you know behind, including your job, to help me. I’ve put a lot of pressure on you this past month. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you’re doing. On the up side, you’ll never have to worry about money; what’s mine is yours.”
“I admit that’s a nice thought, but getting paid has nothing to do with why I’m here,” said Grey, bringing her back to the subject she was avoiding. “I know exactly why I’m here. I know Evan is here because he thinks he has an obligation to Paul. I know Abby is here because she thinks this will help you heal. Chief is here because he wants the chance to give it back to the bad guys.”
“And you?” asked Kate. “Why are you here?”
“For all those reasons. But you, I really don’t know what your expectations are when we find him. What do you need from him, Kate? Regardless of your answer, I’m still going to hunt him down.”
Abby walked into the room, holding a glass of wine. “This goes against my better judgment, but I guess you’ve earned it.”
“Or was it a good excuse to come up and make sure I’m behaving?” said Grey.
“Both,” said Abby, handing the glass to Kate.
“Thanks, Mom,” said Kate. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I was just about to tell Grey why I want to face Caleb’s murderer. Please, sit down.”
Abby shot Grey a look that would make the devil shiver. She held the stare as she sat on the arm of the chair and then punched him in his. Grey kept his head forward and didn’t turn to make eye contact with her. He knew he’d be paying for it later.
“You know you just got me killed,” said Grey, looking at Kate.
“I know,” said Kate with a smile. “But it’s a very fair question that I don’t mind answering. In fact, I’ll be giving the same answer to Chief and Evan. It’s important that you all understand why we’re here, but very little of it has to do with me.”
“You just came out of surgery, sis,” said Abby, still looking at Grey. “You need to rest, and the last thing we need to do is stress you out.”
“Abby, look at me,” said Kate. “I want you to listen and absorb every word, okay?”
Abby broke her visual lock on Grey and faced her sister. She sensed a change in the tone of her voice; it sent chills up her spine.
“Since the moment I invited him into my house, the monster out there has been dictating how I live my life, and I’ve been living it in agony and fear. We’ve been in constant danger when I defied him and survived. All of you have been in constant danger because of him. Tomorrow all of you will be in harm’s way because of me. Grey has a right to ask me any question he wants. He won’t only be risking his own life for me; he’ll be risking all of yours as well. You have no idea what I’m asking of him, Abby. He does.”
“It’s too soon, sis,” said Abby, taking her hand. “You need more time to heal.”
“No, I don’t,” said Kate in the same dark tone. “I won’t heal until he starts hurting. I need to know he’s living his life in fear because he knows we’re coming after him.”
“What else do you need, Kate?” asked Grey, keeping her focused. “Tell us.”
“I need to watch him suffer,” said Kate drifting, further into the darkness. “I need to be the last thing he sees before I kill him, and that’s going to take a very long time. I want him to feel helpless and know there’s no other outcome but excruciating pain and death. I want to see the same look in his eyes that Caleb had. Then I want to see his sick life disappear. You said there’s a fine line between justice and revenge. There is no line, Grey. I’m going to have both. He’ll never do this to anyone else again. I’ll make sure of that.”
Abby was listening to a stranger. She wasn’t listening to the woman who would drop everything to help a friend. Gone was the gentle, sweet, and loving mother and wife. Gone was the woman who loved to garden and cook enormous holiday meals for family and friends. The Kate she remembered would never hurt anything. The Kate in front of her was ready to kill.
She missed her sister, but she understood why she was gone. Abby grew angrier at the men responsible. They failed at taking Kate’s life, but succeeded at taking her soul. In that moment, Abby realized there would be nothing she could do to stop Kate; she no longer wanted to try.
“They’ll be working around the clock downstairs,” said Grey, startling Abby out of her thoughts. “The room will be ready by tomorrow afternoon. Once we confirm everyone is where they should be, you can make the call tonight.”
“Grey, it shouldn’t be a phone call and you know it,” said Kate. “Ignoring my request isn’t going to make it go away. You should know that by now.”
He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his temples. “The first step and you’re already changing the plan.”
“I never agreed to the phone call, so technically I’m not changing anything,” said Kate. “There are too many ways it can go wrong. Face to face will give us the most impact and almost guarantee the result we need.”
Grey knew she was right and didn’t argue the point, but he didn’t like the idea of taking her off the property so soon without a protective detail. He couldn’t bring Chief because he needed someone at the house to help babysit the workers. He couldn’t use the FBI agents in any situation that would make them witnesses in court. Grey and Kate had no choice but to execute the first phase of the plan on their own.
When the location of all the targets was verified a few hours later, Grey and Kate drove off the property toward an upscale North Miami neighborhood. Hardly a word was spoken between them during the drive. As Grey parked the car in front of the large house, he broke the silence with a question. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m starting to get my life back,” answered Kate as she opened her door.
“If anyone else is inside, you turn around and get your ass back in this car,” said Grey in a commanding tone. “No exceptions, Kate.”
“Aye-aye,” she replied with a salute.
She was fearless and in complete control as she walked up to the front door of the house. Grey had a high-powered flashlight ready in one hand and his pistol in the other. He continuously looked around the yard, the house, and his mirrors. He shifted his focus to Kate when a light illuminated the porch and the door opened.
“Oh, my God, Kate,” greeted Tonya with a gasp.
“I know you weren’t expecting me, but I need to talk to you. It’s very important.”
“Yes, of course,” said Tonya. “Please come inside. I’m sorry but Ronnie isn’t here. He doesn’t get home for another two hours.”
“I know.”
34
Prince Grey
WHEN GREY RETURNED, ABBY AND Chief’s faces had a blue hue from their laptop screens in the dimmed War Room. Without expression or words, he sat at the end of the table. Kate went to her room without acknowledging the team. They all could hear the saws and hammers of Evan and his workers finishing the room downstairs. He was ahead of schedule by half a day.
Abby was the first to look up from her screen. “Is she okay? How did it go?”
“Without a hitch,” said Grey wit
h his head down. “We’re all set for tomorrow night. How’s the room coming along?”
“At this rate, he’ll be finished in a few hours.” said Chief. “He knows his shit. He kicked me out, saying I was getting in his way.”
“Good,” said Grey. “I won’t bother him. Kate did all the work, but I’m beat. I’m gonna hit the sack. We’ll test the room after lunch tomorrow and have the final brief at four. Ronnie will be home by six-thirty.” Grey rubbed his head while continuing to stare at his closed laptop.
“It’s a solid plan, Grey,” said Chief, sensing his anxiety. “Everyone will do fine.”
“Yeah, I know,” said Grey, finally looking up. “I’m just not used to running an operation without some kind of backup. There are way too many variables I can’t cover. The unsub knows Kate and I left the property today. If he figures out where we went and gets to Ronnie before we do, this thing falls apart in a heartbeat.”
“He’s good, Grey,” said Chief, “but not that good. He has no idea what’s going on or what’s coming. And let me tell you, I like being on the offensive for a change. Every card we’re allowing him to see is defensive. All he knows is that we’re circling the wagons around this place and protecting Kate from him. No doubt he’s patient, but we’re using that to our advantage.”
“How’s that?” asked Abby.
“The unsub led Sheriff Doyle to those two bodies so he’d have something to bring to Kate,” explained Chief. “If he didn’t want them found, they’d still be missing. That was his way of getting his guy inside the property, but more importantly, inside the house.”
“Doyle was gathering intelligence,” said Grey. “As soon as he left, he reported everything he saw and heard inside. How many of us were in here and how many of us had guns; camera placement inside and outside the house; where furniture and doorways are located; how Kate looked, what we said. Everything.”
“And we let him?” asked Abby, confused.
“Absolutely,” said Chief. “We needed him to report that this place is sealed up tight and is where we’re making our stand. We need the unsub to focus all his energy on figuring out our weakness so he can get inside. We don’t need him thinking we’re coming after him.”
