After he stepped back, he leaned his forehead against hers, kissed her eyelids and whispered. “Soon.”
“Humm. Is that a promise?” She smiled and rubbed her cheek against the back of the hand that still cuddled her face.
“As soon as Debbie and Alec are back safe and this nightmare is over, then I might be able to promise. Until then, you know I can’t.
“So if everything turns out, you’d want to promise?”
“What are you asking me? If I care?”
She nodded slowly; watching his shuttered eyes, but words wouldn’t come. Begging didn’t come easy even if desperation drove her to consider it.
“I want to promise more than I want to breath—”
Ham stepped around the partially opened door to make his announcement.
“They just brought in Big Mike. Cory wants you to talk to him, Aurora. You and Kai.”
Aurora stayed near Kai until they were alone once again. “Do you want to take lead? I have a feeling Mike would respect you more than a mere woman.”
A half-smile hovered as he lifted her hand and laid a kiss in the palm. “Let’s do it.”
***
“Mike, we're not playing games here.” Kai knew his voice conveyed his seriousness and hope the unblinking figure staring right though him understood it also.
“I have nothing. Rhondo’s just a schmuck who comes into my bar from time to time, drinks enough to down an elephant, then pays his tab and leaves. He’s no more trouble than the rest of the losers.
“You know we can take your liquor license away for violating the no gambling policy. It wouldn’t matter to us one iota. But if you help us, we can help you. Wipe the slate clean. All we need to know is about Rhondo’s father.”
“Stepfather.” Soon as the word slipped out, Mike closed his mouth as if disgusted with himself.
“Stepfather. Does this man have a name?”
Nothing. Mike didn’t even blink.
“Man, you could be charged with obstruction of justice or even as an accessory in a kidnapping which is a capital offence with a minimum lifetime sentence. You want to rot in jail for a bum like Rhondo?”
“Don’t play with me Detective. You got nothing and you know it. Where’s my lawyer?”
After an hour of using every tactic he knew, Kai slunk away with his hands fisted and his temper frayed. He stopped dead and angled toward Mike, purposely letting his tongue run away on him. “Disgusting piece of horseshit!” Then he turned to Aurora. “You talk some sense into your dumb friend, Detective Morelli. Tell him things can go south pretty damn fast when a cop’s family is in jeopardy.”
Kai stomped out of the room and slammed the door. Then he quickly circled to the window to see if their acting skills had paid off. He’d worked on the man until even he hated the sound of his own voice. All the while, Aurora sat patiently listening without any comments. Couldn’t have played it any better if they’d had a script.
Aurora broke the silence. “He’s pretty mad.”
“He’s an asshole. Where’d he come from?”
“L.A. Detective Lawson has a personal bone to pick with Rhondo….a matter of his sister’s death.”
The Polish man’s expression underwent a quick change. “Rhondo got to her.”
“Aurora nodded. “Yeah, he did, and she couldn’t live with it.”
“Shit!” Mike’s expression eased from being hard and stubborn to just being tired. “Everyone has stories.”
“Yep, even cops. Now the story is that Earl has taken Debbie hostage, you remember my old partner, the blonde chick who looked the other way when you got played by the underage hooker in your bar. Instead she talked the girl into going back home and then drove her there herself.”
“Why didn’t you say it was her?”
“Not just her. She’s just given birth to a baby boy. Rhondo took them both.”
Mike shook his head sorrowfully. “Can’t abide men who take advantage of youngsters. Makes me sick to my stomach. But a guy who’ll steal a baby, that’s dirty lowdown. Even if it’s his own kid.”
Aurora’s head jerked to the side. “Huh? What are you saying?” A hunch told her to play dumb…the same hunch that had the music starting in her head.
“One night, Rhondo comes into my place. He’s loaded for bear and acting sorry for himself. Told me his ole man hated him. Said he'd called him a fag for years. Said if he were a real man, he’d have a kid by now. Morelli, I swear the asshole blubbered into his beer like some pathetic chump. Admitted he wanted a baby more than anything else in the world. Not to impress his dad, but because it would mean he’d have done one thing perfect.”
“Then…” Aurora figured there had to be more to the story for it to make sense.
“I never knew how he got on with the ladies, none of my business. I keep my nose buried up my own ass, if you know what I mean.”
She grinned and nodded. “Aromatic and rather physically impossible, but I get it.”
“He disappears off the radar for months, until a week ago when he’s shows up and starts passing around cigars—planning a baby shower for chrissakes. Never seen him in such a mood. Even had a beer with the ole man and gave him a cigar. Said as how he’d fathered a boy and would have photos soon.’
“What’d his father say?”
“Actually slapped Rhondo on the back and said he’d finally man’ed up.
“Yeah, I guess he would. Sounds like a real winner. So you know where we could find this prime example of exceptional parenthood and put an end to this tale of dysfunction?
“His name is Fred Main. He’s an ex-army guy, mean as a tased bronco. Even the most hardened in the bar don’t wanna mess with this guy.”
“And does ole Freddy have an address?”
“Not one I know. Told me once he owned a farm way out east of the city. Said his parents used to live there and he’d grown up digging in the dirt. Left to go to the army. Don’t know if he still owns it today.”
Aurora could see the exhaustion riding the man who’d overridden a lifetime of habit to help a woman who he owed one to. “Appreciate the info, Mike. You’re a good man.”
“Yeah, well don’t let the word get out or I’ll be a dead one.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
Kai watched and listened as a pro got to work. She had the hardened bar owner singing Dixie in no time at all. God she was hot! His heart beat just a little faster every time she snuck him a wink. A woman who he’d end his playboy existence for, and she’d appeared too late on his horizon.
No matter what, he still intended to see Rhondo pay for his sister’s death. He couldn’t get on with his own life while the other existed. Jailed, wouldn't work. He wanted him dead.
His sister had been beautiful, a lovely soul with a future of happiness ahead of her, and the animal had ripped it to pieces with no thought at all of what he’d destroyed.
Kai would have no feelings either as a bullet from his gun ripped through the maniac who kept him from sleeping at night. In fact, he'd consider that he'd done the world a favour, ridding it of such trash. How could one person be allowed to hurt so many and get away with it? Take a wife and baby from her husband and not have to pay the piper? He fanned his hands over his head, fuzz barely breaking the skin, and rubbed until he felt the blood gather.
All through Aurora’s questioning of the witness, he'd listened. Once the name came out, he gestured at Ham who watched for a signal from his desk.
“Got it! His name’s Fred Main.” The two high-fived and Ham held out his hand. “Ten bucks—you’re lucky it wasn’t twenty.”
“Bite me. How did you know she’d get it in ten minutes?”
“Cause she’s the best. I’ll get the IT guys on this. They’ll find an address if the guy’s getting anything from the government, any kind of army pension, disability, social security. We’ll find him."
"I have no doubt."
"Oh, and tell Aurora Eddie called. Said there’s a baby shower planned for t
omorrow at a secret location. Only a select few are invited. Invitation strictly for males.”
“What the hell? What about Debbie?”
“That’s what I wondered. Doesn’t sound good. Means we have to find them before tomorrow.”
“Shit, where’s Cory?”
“He’s been trying to dodge the media. The hospital let loose some information about a woman who was taken and they’re all over it. Don’t know how long he can keep the lid on this. Once it’s out that there’s a baby involved and it’s his own kid and wife who're hostages, the shit’s gonna hit the blades if you know what I mean.”
Kai tried not to show his dismay, wanted to be cool, professional, a lawman. But the human side, the caring for a friend and partner couldn’t be denied.
“Poor bastard.”
Just then, Aurora led the way out of the small room and turned to stare at Mike. In case there were any witnesses that could blab later, she hardened her voice.
“Thanks for nothing, asshole. Go!”
Mike nodded, his head lowered and he went in the direction where a uniformed officer waited to discharge him.
Kai discreetly reached for her hand and pulled her closer so he could whisper. “Ham made ten bucks off me because of you.”
She smiled and nestled her head against his shoulder for a few seconds as if seeking sustenance. It made him feel like he could tackle a whole football team for her, and… score a touchdown.
They both stepped away when Ham entered. Then she held out her hand. No words were spoken as Ham paid her with a five-dollar bill and then they banged their fisted hands together.
Kai tightened his lips and disgust flooded his expression. The only thing he managed to curb was rolling his eyes, but inside he knew he’d been had and with no foreplay whatsoever. All he said was, “shame on you,” then led the way back to their office.
***
Aurora fell into step with Ham and asked. “Anything on the address? Mike said east of the city. Can’t be too many vacant farms out that way?”
“They’re working on it. Pat will call as soon as something pops. You know it seems to me as if he planned this once he knew Debbie had the baby.”
“You’re right. Hey, I bet he bought a bunch of stuff for the kid. Get a couple of guys on the infant sales at various department stores; say in the last few days. Look up large purchases. Any news yet on which cop car he’s joy riding in?”
Ham shook his head and said they’d know soon enough. “Evening shift’s over now. Someone will turn up missing.’
“Sneaky bugger had to have read the manual to know what to answer when dispatched called for them to sign in.”
“Either that or he beat the hell out of the cop to get him to talk.”
“And probably enjoyed it. The sicko has to be stopped.”
“We’ll get him, Rory. He’s in our sights.”
Before Aurora could snap at Ham for using her nickname, Ham’s phone rang and he slid it out of his pocket and pushed talk.
“What’s up?”
Aurora watched his face harden and knew the news was bad.
Chapter Forty
The three went to Cory’s office where Kai informed them all in a clipped voice loaded with steel blades. “Officer Alison Jones. Beaten and raped. Her partner, Jim Lynch was shot but not fatally. Call just came in. They were found in an abandoned warehouse south side of town. His uniform was stolen along with their car, guns and ammunition.
“Crap! This guy is so pissing me off,” Cory said, voice thick and edgy. He looked exhausted. “Anything on that address yet?
Afraid to speak, Aurora only shook her head. Profanity had gathered and there was a devil pounding in her head to let the words loose.
We’ll ride together on this one.” He stared Aurora down and then Kai. “You don’t leave without me, hear?”
They both nodded. Only Aurora felt a chill creeping up her back. Vigilante stuff didn’t sit well with her. She’d become a police officer because she believed in the law. The chills hit again and the ring tone in her ear started to hum low but strong. Satan hovered and wanted his fun.
An excited Pat barged into the room; his nerdy look of Mohawk hair, tattoo sleeve and dangling turquoise earring didn’t detract from his genius whatsoever. IT was lucky he’d decided to play on their side. “It’s about an hour’s drive—old place in the middle of nowhere. Pretty well abandoned according to all the information. No running water, guess there’s a well, electricity’s just been turned on and there’s a big default on the taxes. Took us some time to track it down, but we got him.
Cory had grabbed his gun and vest and was already out the door by the time the others had collected themselves. Both headed in the direction of their office to retrieve their firearms and Kai caught Ham’s eye and nodded. “We’re on. Get the team assembled. Pat has the address and will feed us directions online. Cory’s riding with us. We’ll need backup so take care of organizing the rest.”
Kai started to head for the driver’s seat, hesitated, and then nodded for Aurora to take over. She drove like a maniac, but a skilful one. Within a short time of weaving through the city streets, sirens screaming a frenzied warning, they were flying down the highway.
Sunrise promised to soon peek over the horizon and beautify the lightening of the sky. The damp cool would be gone once the sun took its place and the hot glare would batter viciously at anyone out in the open.
Cory turned to Kai in the back seat. “Look and see if the medication the hospital sent over for Debbie is in the pack I grabbed. It’s beside you on the back seat.” Tension filled the vehicle until Kai confirmed the pills were indeed there.
“Good. They warned that she shouldn’t be without them any longer than necessary. They’d just gotten things under control, but a day without the drugs, and she'd have a dangerous setback."
“No matter what it takes, we’ll get them to her.” Kai’s words evoked images in all their minds but none were spoken.
Finally, Aurora broke the dead silence. As if a baby elephant rode in the car with them, she couldn’t ignore how badly these two men wanted Rhondo, or better still, wanted justice.
“So when we get there, we inspect the situation and wait for back up. Maybe line up a hostage team to talk him down. They'll be no vigilante crap.”
“Right.” Kai answered first.
“Absolutely.” Cory’s croak came next.
Chapter Forty-one
At the first sight of the shack, Debbie's stomach plunged and fear rode her back like a diseased monkey needing a fix. Dread seeped in forming goosebumps, and her skin crawled. She had no idea what would happen next. Knowing the revolting male next to her was a psycho didn't help her misgivings. Sick to her stomach, sweat gathered all over her body, most likely a warning about the reoccurring infection still raging inside.
Thoughts jangled, zinging back and forth as she looked for a way out. Not that she’d give the sicko next to her the satisfaction of seeing her beg. She did that once, and the disgust and self-hatred still hadn’t left her.
Cradled in her arms Alec slept, such a little angel. His tiny face scrunched up like a prune, tufts of hair sticking out, he snuffled and wriggled. Then he started to waken, and comprehension hit her like a sledgehammer. She’d do anything to keep her baby safe. Anything! Beg, scream, even keep her sarcastic mouth shut. Whatever it took!
Maybe if she played Rhondo, stopped the silent treatment and got him talking again, he’d be cool. She’d seen his constant glances at Alec and knew he thought the baby was his. Good thing she’d left the report back in the room that she’d received earlier this morning. The one where they’d tested Alec’s DNA with Cory’s and the results were ninety-nine point eight percent positive.
Probably not a good idea to let that little bit of information out just yet! Alec seemed to be this man's one link to humanity. So as long as the baby didn’t get hurt, she’d use that weakness to keep them alive until the troops arrived. If there was one t
hing she’d roll the dice on, it was that Aurora and Cory would turn up.
Once he stopped the car, she broke her silence and asked. “Whose place is this? Looks abandoned.”
Rhondo searched her expression and seemed to relax. “Has been for years, since my grandpa died in the nineties. The old man’s left it to rot. I wanted it, but he said he had to die first. Then if the government hadn’t confiscated it for back taxes, I could have it—but not until then. Bastard! In its day, the place looked good. My grandpa worked hard to keep it nice.”
His expression had hardened by the time he finished the explanation, and she’d gathered a couple of things. He hated his dad and had loved his grandpa.
On the up side, if there were a family home recorded anywhere, her friends would find it and be here by morning. “Your dad doesn’t like the farm?”
“Nah. Fred Main never liked to get his hands dirty. Left as soon as he was old enough to join the army.
“Fred Main? He’s your dad? How come the different name?” Her heart stopped beating for a few seconds as a ping of painful anxiety flipped around her insides. Oh no!
“He refused to adopt me. Said only a real man could use his name.” Rhondo’s tone had hardened as he sneered the last words. Then as if he’d decided that he’d said too much, he gathered up his gun and pointed it towards her. “Pass the baby here.”
She squeezed the baby closer to her body. “He’ll cry if I do. He doesn’t know you, and he’ll make strange.” The baby had already begun to whine, and Debbie knew it wouldn’t be long before his hungry cry blasted their eardrums. The baby had the same voice level as his father—loud and demanding. “I promise not to do anything stupid.”
“Give him here. Whether it was the freezing quality in his words that made her shiver, or the inhumanity she sensed in his soul, arguing with the man wouldn’t help the situation.
Roll the Dice (Vegas Series) Page 15
