Elizabeth was watching him, and it tore at his heart.
He wanted to help her, but he didn't know how.
Instead, he did what he was ordered to do. What choice did he have?
Outside in his car, Chris turned on the radio. The news was on, so he listened as he drove back to work.
That’s when he heard it.
‘Tonight, ‘The Butcher’ claimed his first male victim. It appears the FBI is clueless, and he has moved on to using a rifle. A medallion was found on the scene by the dead man’s body. Seamus O’Brien was found with one bullet wound to his head.
The local police are investigating.
They reassure us that they will solve this case.’
Chris didn't need anything more to answer his many questions. The name stood out.
In fact, he’d given Elizabeth that very name, Livy had seen the photo, and now Gabe wanted this covered up.
He thought about the woman lying on the couch.
“Oh, Elizabeth. What have you done?”
EPILOGUE
Four Days Later
Sunday
She was finally well enough to face work. For a full day, Elizabeth hid. She didn't leave Gabe’s couch the entire time. Chris called, her father called, and the world spun by.
Elizabeth avoided it all.
She pretended she was mourning with Livy, and in a way she was, but it was deeper than that. She knew what she did, and Elizabeth was pretty sure it would always haunt her.
How did you forget something like this?
On day four, she found the answer.
You didn't.
She needed to see a therapist, but how could she? What was she supposed to admit?
It wouldn’t work.
So, time would have to heal, and being around other Feds helped. Later, she’d go see Chris and grab something to eat. She owed him an apology.
She’d been dodging him.
As a shadow fell across her desk, she looked up. It was some Fed who heard about the case.
“He bolted, huh?”
“Yeah, he’ll turn up. They always do.”
Yeah, he was dead. As long as no one thought to check the semen from the victims against him, she would be fine. Then again, she knew Chris Leonard deleted everything they had. Gabe had already moved this case to the cold case room. Ironically, it was solved, and the box was empty.
“Well, it happens to the best of them. In a few years, people will stop busting your ass for letting the big one get away. It sucks, LaRue.”
“Yeah, it really does.”
He patted her on the back.
When he walked away, she grabbed her phone, gun, and badge. She was wrong.
She wasn’t ready. Being there hurt. Elizabeth would have to bail on Chris again.
She needed to hide.
Alone.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
City Morgue
It was now or never.
Chris strolled in, badge out. He knew from the grapevine that Seamus O’Brien’s autopsy was finally done. It took a few days, since the FBI and local law began fighting over him.
Now, it was settled.
Chris was going to do what he had to do to find the answers to the questions that were bugging him.
“Are you the FBI’s ME?” asked the aging man.
“Yes, and you are?”
“Doctor Pressman. I’m the city ME. Can I see some ID?”
Chris showed him his credentials. “I’m here to claim all the evidence you found from the victim.”
The man shrugged. “Okay, do you have the form filled out?”
He handed it over.
The man packed everything up. “I didn't get to upload it yet. For now, there are only paper copies—I hope you don’t mind. Our equipment sucks.”
He was glad. That worked to his advantage.
“That’s okay. I’m on this one, so I’ll handle it.”
His heart was pounding in his chest. Chris prayed he could keep this charade going.
“We found one fingerprint on the bullet. We pulled a partial, and that’s about it.”
“Did you run it?”
“Not yet.”
Chris took the papers. “You can delete the files. The FBI wants this to be contained. This killer is a mastermind.”
He started deleting everything. “The print is the only thing we have on file.”
Chris pulled out his zip drive. “Put it on here, and then delete it please. I have to be thorough. You know how it is. All those FBI procedures.”
The man started deleting everything.
Chris made sure by staring over his shoulder.
“Thank you for your help, Doctor Pressman.”
As Chris started to walk away, the older doctor called to him. “Wait! What about the body?”
Oh, shit! Chris didn't think about that. He struggled to figure out what to do. “Does he have family who wants to claim him for burial?”
“Yes, he does, but they don’t have a lot of money. They were hoping we could help them out with the burial.”
There was only one way, and it would work to their advantage.
Chris knew the only answer. “Cremate him, and tell the family we’ll foot the bill. I’ll approve the paperwork.”
Somehow, Chris didn't doubt that Gabriel Rothschild would be more than happy to have that paper on his desk.
The doctor nodded. “Works for me. I need the cooler space, and that will help the family out.”
“Well, you know the FBI. We love helping out. As long as the victim has peace, we’re all good.” Chris tried to stay calm. “Besides, we don’t need him as long as you did a good job with the trace.”
He laughed. “We are the best.”
Finally, Chris relaxed.
“Thank you for your help.”
With that, Doctor Christopher Leonard headed out. The drive back to the Hoover building felt like it took an eternity. When he got inside, he kicked out all the techs from the work area by making up some excuse. Only when they were gone, did he get down to business.
Carefully, he slipped the zip drive in, and ran it. He needed proof to ease his mind. When the machine beeped, alerting him that it had made an ID, Chris held his breath.
The results were what he expected.
He knew who shot Seamus. She’d left a single print on the bullet.
Chris stared at the paperwork, trying to figure out what to do. He only had two choices. Report it or bury it like Gabe had asked. There was no doubt in his mind that the man knew what had happened.
So, Chris made up his mind.
Grabbing the shredder, he dropped everything into it. Then he dumped it into his garbage can and dumped coffee, soda, and anything else he could find over the shredded documents.
They were ruined.
He slipped the zip drive into his pocket, and cleared his search.
Tonight, he’d smash the zip drive and flush it.
It was done.
Chris was going to protect his first and only friend. One day, they’d discuss it, but until then, he had to believe she did the right thing.
He trusted her.
He loved her.
He would always have her back.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Two Weeks Later
Sunday
When she opened her door, they were standing there. She hadn’t seen Livy since the couple days after she was assaulted. Gabe had been keeping her locked away.
When she called, all her messages went to voicemail.
Finally, she resurfaced.
“Wow! I thought you were in witness protection,” Elizabeth teased, trying to make her smile.
It didn't work.
Granted, Gabe smiled, but there was stress lines around his mouth. Elizabeth knew something bad was coming.
“We have to talk,” Livy said.
“Well, come in.”
“We don’t have
time. We’re leaving on our honeymoon,” Livy stated, dropping the bomb.
Elizabeth flinched.
“Your honeymoon? Shouldn’t a wedding come first?” she asked.
“We eloped an hour ago. Gabriel pulled in a favor and a judge married us at the courthouse.”
Elizabeth bit the inside of her mouth to keep from weeping. “Oh. I see.”
“We woke up and decided to do it,” Livy said.
“I understand. So, it was a private thing for just family.” Her eyes met Gabe’s. He was suffering, and she knew it was because he wanted to have her there. There was no doubt in her mind why Gabe caved—Livy and the guilt over what had happened to her.
Only, Livy didn't know what secret they shared. Gabe didn't tell her what she’d done for her partner. They made a vow to take it to their deathbeds. The last one alive would admit what had happened.
When they both were safe.
“We’re going to have a party later, but now we just needed to do this. I hope you understand,” Livy said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“I understand.”
She didn't. Elizabeth had never seen this one coming. She and Livy made a promise too…this one was left by the wayside.
“I’m also not coming back. I’m going to retire from the FBI,” Livy added. “I can’t go back. I hope you understand.”
Well, if she thought it couldn’t possibly hurt more, she was wrong. Livy was bailing on her. She’d promised to always be her partner. When they were in the academy, they bonded.
“Congratulations.”
“Gabe was promoted. He’s the new Deputy Director, even though we botched the case.”
That stung too. She’d worked her ass off, solved it, and even crossed a line to do the job. She’d closed this one, and it cost her.
“Yeah, I heard.”
She avoided her eyes.
Over Livy’s head, Gabe mouth. ‘I’m sorry.’
“We knew it really couldn’t last forever,” Livy said. “You’ll find someone to work with. Gabe is looking for the perfect partner for you.”
“Terrific. Well, I hope you have a great honeymoon. Congratulations on the wedding and the promotion, Deputy Director Rothschild. I’m happy for you.”
Elizabeth fought valiantly against the emotions.
Livy hugged her. “I knew you would understand. I knew I could trust in you seeing the bottom line. Now we have to go. There’s a plane to catch.”
Yeah, she clearly saw the bottom line. How could she not? It was drawn in the blood of a dead man.
Livy pulled Gabe away, but he continued to watch Elizabeth over his shoulder. ‘I love you,’ he mouthed. ‘I owe you.’
She didn't say it back.
At that moment, she wanted to be happy for them, but they’d left her behind. The people she loved more than anything were moving on.
Together.
Without her.
It was a bitter pill to swallow.
She closed the door and slid to the floor. Her heart ached, and she was alone. Never in all her life did she see this coming. She’d introduced them, and yes, she thought they’d be good together, but she didn't even get to be there for the wedding.
That stung.
Elizabeth wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Before the last one fell, she knew who she had to call. Pulling out her phone, she dialed.
When he answered, she whispered into the phone. “Can you come over? I need you.”
Her tone must have said it all.
When she hung up, the tears came. In two and a half weeks, she’d lost it all.
Elizabeth didn't think she’d recover from this.
How could she?
Her heart was broken.
And for some reason, she believed it was only the beginning.
When he knocked on the door, she didn't hesitate to let him in. Christopher Leonard stood there in scrubs, holding a movie and pizza. Apparently, he came right from the office.
She opened her mouth and then closed it.
He didn't need her to say a word.
“Rough one, honey?”
She nodded.
Chris walked in and dropped the food on the table. When he turned around, he saw her silently crying. When he opened his arms, she moved into them.
“It’s okay, Lyzee. We’ll get you through this.”
She wept hard.
“I have you.”
“Livy quit, they eloped, and I wasn’t even invited to be there. They’ve pushed me out. I’m all alone. In ten minutes, I’ve lost the man I called brother, my best friend, and my partner. I feel like someone cut me off at the knees.”
He moved them toward the couch.
“You’re not alone. I have you. We’ll be okay. I can’t be your partner in the field, but you will always have me. I’ll be your best friend.”
She sobbed even harder.
Pulling her down onto the couch, they laid there together. Chris held her, knowing why she was really falling apart. She’d made a huge sacrifice, and her heart was broken.
“Want to go to happy hour tonight?” he asked, as her tears slowed. “I’ll wear kitten boxers just for you.”
She laughed a watery laugh. “Okay.”
When he lifted her chin with his finger, she was forced to stare into his eyes.
“You have me, Lyzee. You’re my best friend. I won’t leave you behind. I meant what I said. I’ll follow you across the country to be your ME. I swear. I have your back.”
She held onto him, leaving a wet stain from her tears on his blue scrubs. “I have your back too.”
“I love you, Elizabeth.”
While her heart ached, that one little truth helped heal a little piece of her. “I love you too, Chris, and I’m glad I have you in my life. Thank you for being my best friend.”
He kissed her on the forehead.
“Want to have sex?” he asked.
She pinched him hard.
“Shit! You’re mean.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, we’re going to be friends a long, long time. I can tell.”
Christopher Leonard didn't doubt that.
At all.
Elizabeth LaRue would always have his heart.
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
One Month Later
Gabe called him into his office. He wanted to make something right. He hated the way there was such a void between him and Elizabeth.
At work, she wouldn’t look at him.
Instead, she’d started taking any case she could to keep her out in the field. She was burning through partners, left and right. In one month, she’d had three.
It was like that sweetness was gone. In its place, she’d gone cold, become calculating, and had changed. She’d gone cowboy on him, acting like she had a death wish. A part of him didn't doubt that she did. He put himself in her place, and he would have done the same thing to forget.
Gabe knew that he needed to find her some stability. After all, he owed her. This was a huge debt to pay.
When Ethan Blackhawk took a seat, he was going to offer him a new partner.
Elizabeth.
“I’ve had something come up,” he began.
Ethan watched him with cold dead eyes.
These two needed to be paired up. Ethan was sane but a workaholic, Elizabeth was wild like a storm. They’d balance each other out.
“What?”
“I have an agent who needs a partner.”
Immediately, Ethan went on alert. “I have a partner. I’ve just broken Jay in.”
“She’s damn good in the field, sharp as a tack, and…”
He cut him off.
“Deputy Director, is this the woman who fucked up ‘The Butcher’ case?” he asked.
Shit!
Ethan always was astute.
“Yes, but…”
“No.”
“Ethan.”
“I have a partner, and I don’t have to relinquish him. I
’m happy, I’m out doing what I like to do, and I don’t have to babysit.”
“It’s not about babysitting.”
“It is. She screwed up. I’ve heard the talk. Her career is pretty much tanked. The director is pissed, and I’m not saddling myself with that mess. I want to work my way up, not bury my career.”
“But she needs someone like you.”
“Sorry, boss. I pass. I want someone who I can trust, who will have my back, and is competent. She’s a liability, and I wouldn’t touch her with a ten foot pole.”
With that, he walked out.
Gabe leaned back in his chair.
This was all his fault. Elizabeth’s career was going down, and he knew why. She’d carry this forever. He hated every second of it.
He sighed.
“I won’t give up. I owe you, Elizabeth. I will pay you back.”
Somehow…
* * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *
Meanwhile,
Revenge was a dish best served cold. In the end, Elizabeth Blackhawk would pay for what she’d done.
Before it was over, it would be her blood spilled, and there was nothing she could do about it.
What was coming was something nightmares would be made of. No one was going to be safe.
Not Gabriel Rothschild.
Not the Blackhawks.
Not Chris Leonard.
They covered it up, and the truth would come out. When it did, the world would see who was fighting for justice, and who was killing it.
Elizabeth LaRue Blackhawk was going to wish she never pulled that trigger.
To make sure of it?
There would be a trail of bodies because of it.
The game was on.
It didn't matter that it had been fifteen years or five.
‘The Butcher’ was back….
And there was a score to settle. This was the perfect way to ruin her as her Choices will Destroy…
Past Will Haunt Page 30
