“I handled the situation.”
“No one saw you?” she asked.
He smirked. “Director Hotness, are you kidding? Do you know who you’re talking to?”
“Yeah, a dead man if my husbands hear you calling me that.”
Jagger shrugged. “I did you a favor, so now I want my payment.”
A deal was a deal, so she spilled it.
“Jaxon is doing really well. She’s still in the training phase right now. Doctor Magnus is taking care of her, and they’re planning a winter wedding. Last I heard, it’s right around Christmas.”
“Can I get leave to be there?” he asked.
Despite what she thought about the man, he loved his sister with his whole heart. You could see it in his face. It wasn’t easy to make a Marine mushy, but Jaxon did it for him.
“Yes, even if I have to take over for you. Jaxon deserves her family there.”
“You’re a good egg, Director.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ve been in the crazy bath too long, and I’m a little hard boiled.”
“Incoming,” stated Jagger, jerking his head toward the diner door.
Elizabeth saw the doctor and detective on their way into the place, and she noticed that while Callie looked amused, the detective didn't.
“Have a seat,” she stated, motioning for them to sit. Immediately, a waitress headed over, bringing coffee for everyone. Once they ordered, it was time to begin.
“Well, spill it.”
Callie started laughing. “We got busted at a scene with two bodies. Any sane law enforcement officer would have brought us in. Hell, I would have accused us too.”
“I’m okay with the accusations,” stated Quinn. “What pissed me off is when they put my pregnant wife in handcuffs.”
Rightfully so, Elizabeth got it. The men in her life would lose it too.
Ethan wanted to lo-jack her ninety percent of the time. In fact, it was surprising that Callen let her head out to this meeting alone. Then again, he could be lurking. Elizabeth didn't put it past her men.
“AND where the hell was our backup?” Quinn asked, glaring at Jagger. “Great job there, Marine.”
He laughed. “They had three men outside watching the front door. I barely got my phone out when everyone was rushing the place. When they pulled you out in cuffs, I called the boss.”
“Yeah, well…”
“I could have killed them all,” he offered.
Elizabeth stopped him right there. “Uh, no you couldn’t have. We don’t kill jackwagons. We school them, especially if they have a badge.”
Callie found the whole thing funny. “It all worked out, and you got here fast, Director.”
“Well, Callen and I hopped a jet. I told you that we don’t let our people hang. I cover their asses.”
“We didn't get to investigate that scene,” stated Quinn. “We have to get back in there. Is the sheriff going to cut us some slack?”
Jagger started laughing. “Not going to happen.”
“What?”
“You’re too late. There’s been a little bit of a fire at the scene. It’s a total loss,” stated Elizabeth.
The man stared at her. “You’re kidding, right?”
She shook her head as the waitress put down their food. When she walked away, Quinn stared at her in apparent outrage.
“You burned the house down?” he hissed in a low voice. “That’s just wrong!”
She shrugged. “No, I didn't burn it down. I was getting your asses out of jail. I do believe that I have an airtight alibi. I was in the air.”
They stared at Jagger.
He shrugged. “I had my orders. Your DNA was in there, and it had to be swept, plus, we don’t need the killers drawing even more attention.”
“So where are the bodies?” Quinn asked.
She glanced down at her watch. “Landing back home in Damascus. Then they’ll be shipped to FBI West where Doctor Leonard will be conducting their autopsies. You’ll have the details as soon as I do.”
Callie grinned. “This is like being a spy.” Then, she went serious. “Director, how are my brother, Maura, and Luke?”
This was the tricky part.
They both had vested interests, and she didn't want to freak them out. “They’re actually not too far from here. We have Oracle stashed, but it hasn’t been easy.”
Against her better judgment, she told them about the car chase.
“Oh my God!”
Quinn patted her on the back. “They’ll be okay. Maura will kick ass.”
“He’s right,” she added. “What I need right now is for you guys to keep investigating. We have the crime scene photos, and the forensics coming in. I hate to say this, but it looks like Oracle sent us down the right path. She suspected something was going on here, and there is indeed a situation.”
“Someone’s playing dirty if they were willing to sic the sheriff on us,” Quinn stated.
Yeah, they definitely were.
“The bad guys would do it,” Jagger stated. “It’s a diversion. They’ll want us tied up and what better way than with some jail time?”
“This town is a mess,” Callie stated. “There’s something about these murders that’s rubbing me the wrong way.”
“If you want to talk about it, you can always call Ethan. He’ll listen to you and help you out.”
She was aware. “Yeah, I might, after we finish up some interviews.”
“Who’s left?”
“Avalon gave us the family but she also had a few family friends in there. We’ve already spoke to the minister, and he suggested the doctor. We’ll head there next. Right now, we’re going to regroup and lay low at the hotel for the night.”
Jagger knew what that meant. “I’m on duty, huh?”
“Yeah, you are,” stated Quinn. “If they’re watching us, we’re going to watch them. By we, I mean you.”
“Do you think you can find them?” Elizabeth asked the Marine.
He snorted. “Yeah, I think that can be arranged.”
Elizabeth’s phone rang. Glancing down, she noticed it was Callen calling, so she took the time to answer. “Hey, handsome, I’m wrapping it up. How’s the media?”
There was laughter. “You owe me, angel.”
“I always pay my debts.”
“Yeah, I know, and it’s going to be a private date nigh—just the two of us. How about you pick me up? I’m at the coffee shop by the sheriff’s station.”
“I can do that,” she offered, waving the waitress over to get her food wrapped to go. When she took it away, she focused on the call.
“Tell the team, I have some of their research done.”
“Hold on,” she stated, putting him on speaker. “Shoot.”
“I did the research on Avalon’s family. There are more people out there, but I haven’t been able to track them,” Callen stated. “I turned up a Margaret Miller and a Wade Miller, but they went off the radar.”
“How so?”
“They just disappeared. This isn't too odd, considering we’re talking small towns. According to the records, there are no social security numbers.”
“How did that happen?” Quinn asked.
“Small town screw ups, I guess. They could have one, but it was never recorded or they spelled their names wrong. I’m working that angle now. I may find something.”
“Thank you, Callen,” stated Callista. “How are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m good, Doctor. I’m broke though.”
“What?” Elizabeth asked.
“I had to pay off my brother to send you out of town so I didn't have to go to therapy anymore.”
Callista laughed. “You’re feeling better. That makes me happy.”
“Yeah, I am. It’s amazing what the love of a really good woman can do.”
“Amen,” stated Quinn.
Elizabeth spoke, cutting off the mush fest. “I’ll be there in ten, my love. Be ready,” she stated.
“Yee h
aw! Anything you say, boss.”
She disconnected the call. “Be safe, stay out of trouble, and if you need me, don’t be afraid to call. I’m here to back you up, and I promise I won’t leave you swinging.”
“Fly safe,” Quinn said, as she dropped cash on the table for their lunch.
With takeout container in hand, they watched her walk out.
“She looks particularly fit,” stated Quinn. “Is she working out?”
“Elizabeth is on a mission. She has recertification coming up.” Then it occurred to Callie. “Hey! Were you just checking out my boss’s ass?” she asked her husband.
“No! I swear!” Quinn stated, raising his hands in surrender.
“I was,” stated Jagger, “but I’m allowed. No one’s put a ring on it,” he teased.
Callie rolled her eyes. “Let’s get back to the hotel. I want to work through some things.”
“You have something?” Quinn asked.
“I might. I’m on the verge. I can feel it.”
“What do you want me to work on?” Quinn asked, knowing his wife was probably already dividing up assignments in her head.
“Your job is to get Avalon’s mother to come to town,” she stated. “We need to interview her. Tell her it’s a police investigation, lie and say you’re a fed, but get her here.”
“Uh, she didn't show for her mother’s funeral, so what makes you think she’ll show for the rest? I’m sure the cops leaned on her once.”
“You’re persuasive, and I’m betting deep down there has to be some sort of maternal instinct. I hope.”
Yeah, he wouldn’t bet on that.
* * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *
When Mr. Greene got the call, he was thrilled.
His people were still in the area, and now he could make sure they tracked her down.
It still amazed him how malleable his mole was.
It was like stealing candy from a baby.
When he first decided to get his daughter back, he was worried that he couldn’t pull it off.
After all, who went head to head against the government and won?
Only a crazy person, right?
Wrong.
Someone with lots of resources could do it, and he was proof. Before this was over, he’d have her tucked away helping him, or dying.
The choice would be hers.
She was a sin, but she was still his blood.
Maybe she could be redeemable.
Hopefully, Avalon wasn’t anything like that vile bitch of a mother who gave her life. She’d caused so much pain in their lives, all because she was a worthless, idiotic slut.
Now she would pay.
See, he’d made them all hurt.
Where they would see it as being tortured for information, it was the furthest from the truth. He knew they were clueless, and that was the point.
He learned about Avalon’s past through the government’s grapevine. At first, he wanted to own her, but then he found out her real name. Oracle belonged to him.
He heard about the pain and torture.
The second it was all uncovered, he knew he had to do what was right. So, he did.
Mary Louise was a horrible woman. She endlessly abused her grandchild, and his only daughter. For that, he had to break all the bones in her disgusting frail body. When she begged for mercy, blinded like his little girl, there had been none.
She didn't deserve it.
Mary Louise needed to bleed.
The same was true with Frank Miller. He’d tormented and made Avalon’s life hell. She may be a sin, but she was still a living thing, and deserved to be given the basics.
The truths he’d uncovered only made him angry.
That’s why he had to be killed. He was beaten and had his balls destroyed for being a coward. How dare he keep her pictures when he made her suffer?
Ah, then there was Sarah and her brother Brian.
They thought they were so much better than his child.
They weren’t.
Their mother slept with some old codger for his money and had them. At least Avalon was created in love. Yes, it was wrong, but still, he didn't care.
They’d treated her like she was nothing more than a worthless piece of trash.
So, he let his employees treat Sarah that way. Her body was used and abused, and she was tossed away like nothing more than yesterday’s garbage.
It was fitting.
He thought so.
In his opinion, Brian was the filthiest one. He’d lied about Avalon, telling the kids at school that she was mentally disturbed. He spoke false truths, so his mouth needed to be washed out with soap and hot water.
His punishment was priceless.
Deserving.
Just.
As far as he was concerned, they all had to pay. It was his duty to protect his child, and he’d done just that. When he found her, she’d thank him.
He was certain.
Pulling out the stolen pictures, he ran his fingers over them. They were cherished since he never got to see her grow. She looked just like her mother did as a child.
His body reacted.
Yes, she was just like her mother.
That’s how this all started, and he hated himself for it.
The rage came as he realized he couldn’t keep her with him. She would destroy everything he held dear. Avalon would have to die.
But first, he might just taste that forbidden fruit. She could make him powerful.
He’d have to see if she’d do it.
Putting the photos down, he called his team.
He needed her to be found.
Soon.
* * * C a r t e r - G a i n e s * * *
Five Miles
From the Cabin
The hike out wasn’t too bad. If Maura thought that she was going to be slowed down, she was wrong.
Luke kept up.
Plus, he kept her entertained the entire way. There was nothing like spending time with him out in the great outdoors. He was fun, and that was important to her.
When your life was serious, you needed a few qualities in a man to get you through life.
He had to be funny.
Check.
He needed to be hard working.
Check.
He needed an ass that was illegal in most states.
Check. Check. Check.
Yeah, he was the total man package for her.
“What are you thinking about?” Luke asked, as he followed her into the little grocery store not far from where they exited the woods.
“You and sex.”
It caught him off guard, especially since she said it loudly. People were now staring at him.
Luke flushed.
Maura found it sexy. “Well, you asked,” she stated, gathering up her supplies. She was meticulously weighing each and every one to make sure they wouldn’t be too heavy for the trek back to the cabin.
No one wanted to carry a ton of groceries five miles and over rugged terrain.
Well, no sane Marine wanted to.
Luke was picking up glass jars, bottles, and next would be the anvil and ton of bricks.
Apparently, he was thinking with his gut, not his head.
“Slow your roll, Lucas,” she stated. “We pick light things that don’t need a lot of space. Think things like Power bars, gels, and jerky. I have enough water tablets to last us a while, but we need high caloric foods.”
He held up a candy bar.
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
Luke grinned like a little kid. “Awesome! I could live like this. Who doesn’t want to eat candy all day long?”
“I didn't say that. I said you could get A candy bar.”
He winked at her. “Yes, Mom. If I’m bad will you punish me?”
She shook her head, preparing a scathing reply.
Only, something caught her eye. Outside, there were two big, black Escalades fueling up at the nearby pumps.
Holy shit!
They had company.
“Lucas, come here,” she said calmly, pointing at the vehicles outside the window.
Luke heard the change in her voice, and the way she was pulling her shoulder length blonde brown hair back. She was gearing up for a fight, and that didn't bode well.
Heading to the window, Luke noticed there were five large men getting out of the vehicles.
They were big.
Mean.
And packing guns.
This was going to suck. These brutes were now the one obstacle between them and getting safely into the woods.
Maura approached, placing her hand on his lower back. “We need to get these things purchased and get out of here. If they come in, they’re going to recognize me,” she stated.
He glanced over. “What?”
“The one driving the first vehicle is Captain Tim Vance. He served on our base. He was discharged for being a douchebag and a traitor to this country. He left his post in a time of war, and the military dishonorably discharged him.”
Luke made mental notes.
“That one over there is Corporal Leroy Tynes. He served with me when I first started out. He’s good with guns, but slow on his feet.”
He stared into her eyes. “You know them all, don’t you?”
Maura nodded. “Whoever is after Avalon knows I’m the one guarding her. Maybe one Marine would be a coincidence, but I know them all. He’s studying me and trying to find my weaknesses by thinking I won’t kill people I know.”
Luke didn't like this.
“So they know you and your fighting style. Worse—they know you’re queen of strategy.”
She nodded. “This has to be an inside job. Someone in the government had to access those files. That’s the only way they could know I’ve worked with all of them.”
“How screwed are we, Maura?” he asked.
“I can’t go at them head on. We’re going to have to do this the hard way.”
Yeah, that one sentence made him want to be sick. Deep down, he suspected that she meant one thing.
As they checked out, Luke took some calming breaths. There was no way in hell he was letting them near his woman. She may be a Marine, but still…
He was a man.
Sinner Reborn Page 27
