Accused

by Janice Cantore

  Jeff tapped her on the shoulder. “It’s time to go.” He handed her a thumb drive and what looked like a pen, which she realized must be his hidden camera. “Hang on to these. I’ll give you a boost.”

  They slipped back to the window, where he helped her up. She swung her legs out into the now-dark night.

  “Hey!”

  The angry male voice startled her, causing her to fall out of the window and land wrong, twisting her ankle.

  “Ow!” she muttered, wincing in pain when she stepped with her right foot.

  Two large men ran toward her from the right. And they weren’t yelling welcome. Not wanting to tip them off to Jeff, she limped awkwardly toward the path without looking back. She fumbled with the camera, the thumb drive, and the pen, not sure what she’d do with them but knowing she didn’t want the bad guys to get them. Even if what she filmed didn’t prove anything, they were her last contribution to a screwed-up investigation.

  The men gained on her; she could feel their footfalls pound the earth as she reached the fence. She slid through the cut fence on her butt, slipping the evidence from her hand into a hole in the dirt by the fence post.

  The men were on her as she pushed herself up on the other side of the fence. The small opening slowed the two big men down, and Carly knew her last chance was to move fast. Curses shattered the air behind her as the men tried to squeeze through the fence.

  But her ankle might as well have been an anchor. She tried a stilted run, but her stiff gait didn’t get her very far. Without warning, she was hit hard from behind and knocked down.

  As she lay on the ground, trying to catch the breath the fall knocked out of her, she found herself looking up at two very angry faces.

  “Just what do you think you’re doing?” the largest one asked. He must have been the one who pushed her.

  Carly couldn’t answer. She thought about the gun in her waistband, but as she gasped for breath, she knew she’d never get to it fast enough.

  She was right. The men jerked her up off the ground, still gasping and wheezing as she got her wind back. One found the gun.

  “Lookee here!” he yelled gleefully. His toothy grin glowed yellow in the dark and his bald head shone. He passed the gun to his buddy, a hard-looking black man.

  Number two hung on to the gun. His biceps were as big as Carly’s thighs, and his expression said he’d like to crack Carly’s head like a nutshell. “Let’s get her back to Burke,” Biceps said.

  Baldy grabbed Carly by the arm and jerked her back the way she’d just run. She stumbled as her ankle protested in pain, but Baldy just dragged her along.

  Carly forced down panic. I need to think clearly. Keep your head; survival is the most important thing. Jeff is still free.

  It was Nick who fortified her. In the back of her mind, she bet these people were responsible for his condition, and that stoked her anger. Panic fled.

  When they reached the warehouse, Carly saw the whole gang outside waiting to see what Baldy and Biceps brought back.

  “Look what the cat dragged in.” Karl Drake stood with his arms folded across his chest, a half smile playing on his lips.

  “I had a feeling you were dirty, but I couldn’t figure out why,” Carly said, working hard to keep an emotionless cop expression on her face.

  “Money, plain and simple. I don’t plan on retiring on a pension alone. How long have you been here?”

  Carly shrugged but didn’t get a chance to answer.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Galen Burke made his presence known. “We’re wasting time. Besides, even if she saw something, she’ll be too dead to tell anyone.”

  Carly stared at the man responsible for the turmoil of the past week, realizing she hadn’t wanted to believe the picture of Galen and Teresa’s happy marriage was a facade. “You did kill your wife.”

  He turned her way, regarding her with cold, empty eyes. “Actually, Potter killed her, but I approved. She was in the way, like you are. She thought she would ruin me and became an obstacle. She and her cop friend were going to expose me and destroy this lucrative business I’m in.” He smiled, but nothing could warm those eyes.

  “For ten years I tried to do business legitimately and nearly went bankrupt. I switched sides and became successful. Teresa couldn’t make the transition and needed to be removed. It should be obvious to you by now that I’m good at removing obstacles. My wife, that mouthy hooker, the stupid carjacker.” He shrugged. “I wish Potter had been more successful with you, but then, your time has come today.” Motioning to Biceps, Burke dismissed Carly. “Put her on my boat.”

  A commotion from the warehouse interrupted the completion of the order.

  “Fire!” someone yelled. Smoke curled up from the back of the building.

  Burke motioned to Baldy. “Go see what that is.”

  Biceps tightened his grip on Carly.

  The sound of glass breaking rent the air, and several loud thuds followed. Baldy yelled something unintelligible. Burke nodded to Drake, who ran toward the commotion. In a few minutes the struggle stopped, and Carly heard Drake laughing.

  “Hey, Galen! You’ll never believe what else the cat dragged in!” Drake’s face split with a wide grin as he walked toward them. Behind him was Baldy, half-dragging, half-carrying Jeff, whose face was bleeding.

  “Good, good. It’s about time.” Galen rubbed his hands together, then pointed to Carly and Jeff. “Take them both to my boat.”

  A yacht was docked beside the container ship. Dwarfed by the larger ship, the yacht did not come into view until Carly was almost on it. Biceps pulled Carly along, while Baldy dragged Jeff. Her ankle throbbed, precluding any attempt to make a break for it.

  A frigid wind pushed forbidding clouds across the night sky. Carly shivered, but not from the cold. Jeff’s condition was worrisome; she couldn’t tell how badly he was hurt. She thought about her own options. As long as my hands are free, I have a fighting chance. Maybe there’s a way out of this.

  The two jailers shoved them onto the yacht, ignoring any pain they were inflicting. Biceps opened a door and directed them into a pitch-black corridor.

  “In here.” Baldy pointed to another small door.

  Before Carly realized what was happening, she was shoved into a closet, Jeff after her. The door closed behind them and a click of the lock sealed the prison. They were plunged into complete darkness.

  34

  “How bad are you hurt?” Carly strained to discern Jeff’s features in the darkness, but it was impossible.

  “I’m sorry. I really got us in a mess, didn’t I?” he lisped through broken teeth.

  “You didn’t exactly twist my arm. I would have plunged ahead with or without you. I can’t see how bad your face is.”

  “I’ll live.” He laughed weakly and faded into unconsciousness or a deep sleep. She felt his body relax, and in a short time heard slow, labored breathing.

  Carly settled in across from Jeff in the tiny jail cell. She drew her knees up to her chest in order to fit comfortably. The small Indiglo light on her watch illuminated the numbers 8:05. She’d left Mark at the hospital three hours ago. She hadn’t given him any indication about how long she’d be. His instructions were merely to call Nathan. She hadn’t told him where she was going, but then she hadn’t known herself at the time. Even if he and Nathan got worried, they’d never know where to look.

  The yacht rocked gently. Every so often she could hear and feel it bump against the dock. She couldn’t hear much else. Muffled voices occasionally broke the quiet, but she couldn’t make out what was being said.

  Carly tried to focus on possible escapes but knew she couldn’t get Jeff out if he couldn’t leave under his own power. When her thoughts drifted to her mother or Nick, she felt too much like crying. I’ve got to keep a cop attitude. It’s always too soon to quit.

  Five minutes stretched into forty. Carly’s legs cramped in the confined space. She heard more voices and the sound of footsteps walking back and
forth past her cell door. Then the yacht’s motor roared to life. Shortly, Carly felt the boat begin to move. She assumed they were pulling away from the dock.

  “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” Carly said to herself, startled by the sound of her own voice. They mean to get rid of us at sea, I bet. I felt more confident docked near land. She fought the urge to panic. In the academy she’d learned that the cop who gave up first was the cop who died. Never give up; never stop fighting. I will survive this. The ability to think clearly was of paramount importance.

  Something she’d read that morning when she was in the mountains popped into her mind. It related to being safe in God’s care, and no one being able to take a person out of God’s hand. At the time she thought about her parents’ faith. If they really believed they were constantly being protected and held in God’s hands, no wonder they had peace.

  Right now I wish I had Nick’s faith or my mother’s faith. It would be nice to believe there was a God watching over me in this closet.

  “God, God.” She mouthed the words and closed her eyes, wishing with all her might she could believe. God, if you are there, if you are real, I need you. I know I’ve never believed. I need to see things to believe them. Can’t you please show me something? Nathan said you would if I ask. I’m asking.

  Tears filled her eyes, and this time she didn’t try to stop them. She hugged her knees and wept.

  Somewhere inside, after the tears, she felt better. She wiped her face with her sleeve and took a deep breath, thinking of Burke and Drake. You zips sure aren’t going to see any tears or weakness. Her face dry, she sniffed her last sniffle just as the door to her jail cell opened.

  “Come on out.” Biceps gave the order in a tone that dared rebellion.

  Carly squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light. A salty sea breeze wafted through the open door. She stood, and Biceps jerked her out into the corridor. He shoved her toward the upper deck while Baldy leaned into the closet to rouse Jeff.

  Once on deck, Carly saw the lights of the breakwater ahead. The yacht would be out in the channel shortly. She fought to keep her balance on a painful ankle. Jeff looked horrible. The front of his shirt was soaked crimson and his face was pale. But he walked without assistance. The fact that she and Jeff were not bound told her that they were not considered a threat. She hoped to use that to their advantage.

  “Should’ve helped me when you had the chance, Edwards.” Drake leaned against the railing, a beer bottle in his hand and a smirk on his face.

  Carly ignored him and swept the deck with her eyes, realizing that the “they” she and Nick had wondered about a couple days ago were now accounted for. Beside Drake, Burke sat on a deck chair grinning, Mario Correa next to him. They reminded Carly of cocky thirteen-year-old juvenile delinquents.

  “You gave us a good chase, Hanks,” Burke taunted, “but we knew it was just a matter of time. Poking around in things that don’t concern you will always trip you up. Thanks for bringing Officer Edwards to the party.”

  “You’ll get caught,” Jeff said, his speech distorted. “The body count is growing, and the trail leads to you.”

  “I don’t think so.” Burke’s smug expression made Carly sick to her stomach. “You two sit tight until we reach the perfect spot. We excel at tying up loose ends.”

  “Was Nick a loose end?” Carly asked, surprised when Burke laughed.

  “Curious to the end. Karl said that would flush you out.” Burke shrugged. “You actually showed up a lot faster than I thought you would.” He checked his watch. “I’ve sent someone to finish the job on him, by the way, and now you and the pesky Mr. Hanks have outlived your usefulness.” He nodded to Biceps.

  Carly bristled with the realization that Burke planned to strike Nick while he was hospitalized. But before she could say anything, she and Jeff were pushed into a sitting position by the railing. Taking a deep breath and shoving her fear for Nick down deep, Carly tried to get her bearings in the dark channel. Soon they cleared the harbor, exited the breakwater, and picked up speed, heading across the channel in the direction of Catalina Island.

  “Any last words?” Burke prodded Carly.

  “What is there to say?” She blew out a breath, not wanting him to see her concern for Nick and pounce. “You’re a low-life murderer. I don’t want to talk to you.”

  “I have a question.” Jeff spoke up, surprising Carly with the strength in his voice. “What exactly did Teresa say that made you decide to kill her?”

  Burke smiled an oily smile. “Trying to clear your conscience? Wondering if what you and her puzzled out was her undoing?” He paused, very pleased with himself. “Dear Teresa paid an unscheduled visit to my office. The two of you had guessed a great deal. She came to give me a chance to come clean on my own. She claimed to have found religion with you, her knight in shining armor. I laughed in her face. Her death wasn’t really intentional, but it turned out for the best. I can thank you for that.”

  He smiled at his coconspirators. “Jackson helped himself to the car before there was a chance to dispose of the body. By stealing the car, he did us a bigger favor than he had the capacity to understand.”

  “Why’d you kill him if he helped you?” Carly asked, realizing that Jeff was stalling and wondering what he thought that would accomplish.

  “He got greedy.” Burke sipped a drink. “He wanted more for his confession than we were prepared to give. He was easy to eliminate, almost as easy as you two.”

  Drake and Correa erupted in laughter.

  “And the other kid fries.” Jeff kept them focused on him.

  Carly tried to determine how far out they were.

  “Better him than me,” Burke said. “Teresa didn’t understand how good I was to her. My business may not be Fortune 500, but it is extremely profitable. I perform a service. The people of Las Playas pay me a lot of money for their narcotics. Other countries pay for the merchandise I provide. The money is then conveniently laundered through the Las Playas redevelopment fund. My business has helped rebuild the city, and it helped Teresa keep her precious mayor job. She and her self-righteous conscience would have destroyed a great deal. I deserve every penny I make.”

  The trio toasted their accomplishments.

  This information caught Carly’s attention. Las Playas rebuilt by drug money? One of those supposed to be a city savior was insufferably proud of his criminal endeavors. Teresa would have been blown out of the water if she’d exposed Galen. She’d found religion, Burke said. Was it Nick’s God?

  Carly remembered Nick telling her that Nathan wanted the truth, even if it meant Londy was guilty. Did Teresa want the truth even though it would cost her job and her image? One thing was for sure—confronting Galen cost her life.

  This God of Nick’s asks a lot.

  The three criminals began to joke about how Londy would meet his end and how they’d committed perfect crimes.

  Jeff leaned close to Carly. “You still swim like a fish?” he whispered.

  She nodded.

  “Can you make it home from here?”

  She shrugged. “What about you?”

  “Don’t worry about me. One of us needs to make it.”

  Carly started to protest, but Jeff shushed her. “I need to do this, Carly, and you need to get back and tell what you’ve seen and heard,” he pleaded.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Find a way to get over the railing and swim like crazy.” He stared at her and she felt a lump in her throat.

  “Jeff—”

  “Please,” he cut her off. “Just tell Elaine I love her, and tell everyone I wasn’t dirty.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s all I have left to give.”

  He turned away from her, moving his body in front of hers. “You can’t possibly believe you will continue to get away with this,” Jeff yelled, breaking up the celebration.

  “I have gotten away with it. When you two hit the water, no more loose ends.”

  Anger surged inside Carl
y. She wanted to wipe the smirk off Burke’s face. What I wouldn’t give for a solid nightstick and enough room for a good swing. Thinking about space made her reconsider Jeff’s suggestion. She looked at Baldy and Biceps on either side of her and knew she’d have to act quickly.

  “You don’t have any problem at all killing two cops?” Jeff addressed Drake while Carly slid away from him.

  “We went through this already. I have no problem at all, but I will have lots of money.”

  “And you were supposed to be such a great investigator. What about Harris? Is he dirty too?” Jeff spoke scornfully.

  Carly inched along the railing while a plan became clear.

  “Nope, Pete is solid and respectable. He doesn’t have the same expensive tastes I do.”

  “So what’s the plan now? Shoot us and make us fish bait?” Jeff moved squarely between Carly and Drake. Carly understood he was trying to give her room. Biceps was still close, but his attention was on Jeff.

  “Something like that.” Drake pulled his jacket back and exposed the butt of his .45.

  Carly saw her chance. In a split second she knew it was her only choice. Ignoring her ankle, she turned and lunged toward the railing. Biceps reacted first and reached out to grab her, but Jeff jumped up and intercepted him.

  “Go, Carly!” Jeff yelled.

  Planting both hands on the railing, Carly vaulted and swung her legs out and over, clear of the yacht. She fell toward the cold, dark water rushing by below.

  35

  The crack of gunshots coincided with the shock of hitting the cold water. Numbing chill zinged her senses. Choosing to jump was the only option. She’d rather face the ocean than bullets, and she silently thanked Jeff for running interference. The pain of knowing she’d probably never see him again and the churning frigid water clouded the wisdom of her choice. There’s no going back. Jeff, your sacrifice will be worth something.