Ethan grinned at his wife. She slipped into the role of hick so easily, yet he could see her eyes calculating and working on every single potential angle.
“He went nuts. He kicked me out of there.”
“We hear that you took some money that he offered so you’d leave her,” Elizabeth stated. She needed to check the validity of their suspect and the potential witness. Although, with what they just learned about Wilfred Monroe, he wasn’t looking all sweet and innocent as he protected his baby girl’s honor.
“I did take the money, but not because I didn't want Magdalene. He sent some goons after me. That night, I was coming back here and got jumped. They beat the hell out of me, and then left the check. I didn't take it to leave her, I took it to get my jaw wired shut and repair the damage that man did.”
That made sense to the men. Callen and Ethan would beat the hell out of a man to preserve their daughters’ honor.
Easily.
But unlike Wilfred Monroe, they would never do it because a guy was poor.
“I went right to Doc Murphy to get fixed up. You can call and ask him. I even filed a report with the sheriff, but I’m sure you can figure out how that worked out. Magdalene’s daddy has half the town in his pocket, including the sheriff’s office.”
That irritated Elizabeth. She’d been a sheriff, and it didn't, or shouldn’t, have mattered, if someone had money or not. Then again, not all cops were on the up and up. There could be bad apples in every bunch.
They knew that for sure.
It pissed her off that she was letting a corrupt cop help in their case.
“After that day, Magdalene had a new cell number and her daddy moved her away from me. I didn't know how to find her.”
“But then she returned.”
He nodded. “I saw her on Main Street, and she walked right past me, like I was invisible. It was like I didn't even exist in her eyes. It broke my heart.”
He wiped a tear from his eye.
“I can’t believe she didn't really love me. Maybe I was just someone to pass her time while trapped in this hell hole.”
Elizabeth had dealt with many rich people over her career, some cared, some saw, and others lived in a bubble.
It was simply the case.
“When was that?” she asked.
He didn't have to hesitate. “It was about a week before she went missing.”
Ethan made notes. This man could have had something to do with the woman’s disappearance.
Or he might not.
They didn't have enough at that point to go either way.
“You didn't happen to see any of the men who kicked the hell out of you, did you?” she asked.
His hand gently touched his jaw. “Yeah, I saw one of them. I think it was Russell Beston. He works over at the local market. I don’t know what I ever did to him, but I’m almost one hundred percent sure it was him.”
She made notes.
When Elizabeth stood, she held out her hand. “Mr. Rickert, stick around. I’m not sayin’ you’re guilty as sin, but I am tellin’ you that you’re part of this investigation from here on out. If you make me chase you down, what Monroe did to you will be nothing. I’ll really make you hurt.”
The man nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Just find the person who hurt Magdalene. She may not have loved me, but I loved her. She was going to be my wife. That means something here,” he stated, touching his chest.
They headed off the porch and to the vehicle.
Was this a case of unrequited love or something more?
Until they dug deeper, there was just no way to know. Their suspect didn't help the situation out.
The team was still wandering around blind.
They needed some caffeine to get them through the day. Stopping at the local coffee shop, Ethan, Callen, and Elizabeth perched outside on a set of steps to take a break from the interviewing process.
Her mind was swirling full of suspects, details, and things related to the case. On top of that, she was thinking about Oracle, and if Jagger had managed to get her to Salem and out of harm’s way. If that wasn’t enough, she was worried about the shooter, the skull Jaxon was working on, and Tony’s heart.
Elizabeth was buried.
Just as they were finishing up their coffee, they saw the black Denali tear into the parking lot.
Immediately, they all went on alert. Had something happened? If one of their team was ‘driving like they stole it’, there had to be a damn good reason, or they’d be feeling her boot up their ass.
When the driver hopped out, Elizabeth’s gut sank. Rushing toward her was Doctor Tony Magnus, and he looked enraged.
This couldn’t be good.
In fact, there could only be one reason he looked so pissed off, and immediately, her mind went there. She held her breath, bracing for what was to come. By Elizabeth’s side, each man stood, placing her protectively between them.
It was obvious they were aware what was coming too.
“You knew!” he exploded, pointing at her. The rage was evident in his voice.
Sadly, he didn't need to elaborate. This was exactly what she didn't want to happen.
Well, shit!
It was going down.
Elizabeth didn't know why she was surprised.
Before she could speak, Tony continued, “You and Chris were the only two people who I’ve ever trusted with this, and you still kept it from me! How could you?”
“Tony,” she began, only to be cut off.
“You’re one of my best friends! You’re my family! Yet, you let me walk into the morgue today to find out that my mother was in that fucking hole!” he raged, gathering attention from everyone around them.
They were now becoming a spectacle.
Unfortunately, trying to stop his explosion would only garner more attention. It looked like she was taking one for the team.
“I trusted you. I see that was a mistake. Well, here’s something that you need to hear! Fuck you, Elizabeth Blackhawk! You played God with my heart, and I’ll never forgive you for as long as I live. You’re dead to me. We’re done! Today we part ways as friends, family, and everything else.”
Ethan went to say something, and Elizabeth stopped him by placing her hand on his forearm. She understood that Tony was hurting, that she had caused it, and that it had to come out.
There had been times in her life where she’d needed to spread the pain around, and she understood it.
“I won’t ever forgive you for this betrayal. You are a cold hearted bitch. Sadly, I had to learn it the hard way.”
It was like a punch to the gut.
Yet, she took it.
Before Ethan or Callen could say anything, Tony turned on his heel, headed back toward the Denali, and was gone.
When she was finally able to speak, all that came out was a sigh.
“Lyzee,” Ethan began before continuing, “he’s hurting, but that crossed a line. You should have let me kick his ass, if not as his boss, then as your husband.”
Callen agreed. “That was way out of line.”
Yeah, and she’d crossed that same line earlier by keeping part of her team in the dark. This was life. It sucked, but that was just the way it was.
For now, she needed to be alone.
“I’m going to head back to the hotel. Can you two go to the bar and conduct the interview? We need to know about the night Magdalene was abducted,” she stated, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to focus from here on out.
Losing someone she loved was hard. Tony had been a part of her for so long. Now, she wanted to think and be alone. Oh, and call Chris to make sure Tony didn't kick the hell out of him too.
It had been all her fault, and she would carry this one alone.
Blackhawk knew it was seldom that she’d opt out of an interview. He also knew how crushing Tony’s words had been. For her, he’d let it slide. “Sure. We’ll catch up with you later. Want us to drop you off?” he asked.
She shook her
head, and then headed toward the hotel, three blocks away. “Drive safe,” she said softly, trying to escape.
They watched her leave.
“Should we follow her?” Callen asked, wanting to run to her, scoop her up, and kiss away all the hurt she was feeling.
“We’ll meet her back at the room and fix her then. For now, let’s get this interview done. Then, we can take care of Lyzee.”
“She had no choice,” he added.
Ethan agreed. “She won’t see it that way. That’s what makes her the person she is. She chose this path, now she’ll deal with the fallout.”
“This sucks,” stated Callen.
“Yeah, but she’s strong. Elizabeth will bounce back.”
Callen wasn’t sure about that.
All they could do was hope her heart was just as strong, or she’d be suffering for a long time.
He couldn’t believe that he’d been betrayed by them. His friends, family, and co-workers knew what he’d never even suspected. His own mother, lost to him so many years ago, was found in that godforsaken hole.
His heart ached.
Tony wanted to weep with tears of sorrow and bitter ones of anger. He felt lost and betrayed all at once, and the emotions were swamping him, threatening to swallow him whole.
He didn't want to be angry at his family.
He wanted to be angry at himself.
All the years that he’d hated the woman who gave him life, and here she was dead.
She didn't leave him.
Tony wasn’t intentionally abandoned.
Instead, someone had taken her away.
All those times he laid in bed, wishing her dead, and here he’d inadvertently gotten his wish. The hurt from his friends was bad enough, but the self-loathing of his actions far outweighed it.
Why he headed to the cemetery, he’d never know. At first, he swore it was for the quiet.
But he knew the truth.
He wanted to go where he’d had a pleasant memory. Jaxon had been there with him, and he wanted to feel something other than anger and loss.
He desperately wanted to find love.
As he laid on the soft grass, it occurred to him. Finding his mother had been his mission in life, and now it was done.
So what now?
Where did he go from here?
Could he leave and walk away from a career which had been forged in the dark belly of anger? Could he say goodbye to serving the dead, all because the most important victim was now home?
What was next?
Who was he going to be?
All these thoughts and fears coursed through him, as he tried to not let the anger win.
It was just so damn hard.
As he closed his eyes, he wanted to weep.
Yet, the tears wouldn’t come. There had been so many over the years, and now they were firmly locked away, unwilling to break free.
This was so new to him.
Tony didn't know what to do.
Lying there, he heard the footsteps and prayed it wasn’t a Blackhawk. He’d said it all to them. While his anger was pointed at Elizabeth, it was meant for everyone who knew what was going on.
The rage burned on when he thought about her.
Elizabeth may be his boss, but other than that, she was dead to him. A line was crossed, and he didn't ever think he could forgive her.
Not for this.
Never for this.
As he opened his eyes, he stared up at his fiancée. A part of him was thrilled she’d come, the other half was afraid that he’d hurt her too. “You shouldn’t be here, Jaxon.”
That one response said it all.
While she didn't know about the entire lie that the team had woven around him, Tony still didn't want to hurt her. If she stayed, that just might happen.
He was in a bitch of a mood, and didn't want to take it out on her.
She didn't deserve it.
“Are you okay, Tony?” she asked, sitting beside him.
While he wanted to whip out some snarky, mean reply, he wasn’t that far gone. “No, but you should go back to the hotel. I need time to think and be alone.”
She ignored him.
When she wanted to run, he chased. Well, by God, she was going to do the exact same thing. If he took off, she’d be right behind him.
“I don’t want to talk.”
She pushed past that. “Okay, so you can listen then. I know how you feel.”
His eyes snapped open, anger filling them. “Do you? How could you possibly know what it’s like to walk into a room to find your mother’s face on a skull your own team dug up? There is nothing more horrifying on the planet.”
Ignoring his tirade, she continued, “When my mom was killed, my father had to go to the hospital to identify the body. He brought Jagger and me with him. When he found out she was killed, he didn't want to chance leaving us alone.”
Tony didn't speak.
“So, as he was handling the papers, I wanted to see her. I had to see her, Tony. My father, of course, refused. She was going to be buried immediately, and he didn't want to hear another word of it. As he was busy, we snuck into the morgue. Jagger and I went in, lifted the sheet and saw what they did to her. It was cold. It was careless, and it was heartbreaking.”
He stared at her, hearing the emotion in her voice.
“She was ruined. I remember thinking, ‘God! Why do I have to see her like this? My mom was so beautiful, and now she’s so broken. It’s how I remember her. From that day on, the beauty was gone, and in its place was nothing but ugliness.”
She took his hand in hers. “When you walked in today, I know how that sucker punch to the gut felt. It took your breath away and stole a piece of your soul. You always wanted to find her, but didn't expect it to be like this. You wanted it to be on your terms, but today your control was taken. I get that.”
He closed his eyes. “I never wanted to find her. That’s some bullshit story I kept spouting just to get through the day. I wanted to hate her, Jaxon. I wanted to imagine that she was off with a new family, happy, healthy, and still alive. Then, I could hate her and justify all the horrible things that I’ve thought, said, and wished on her. Now I know she died a prisoner to some lunatic. When she was locked away, did she weep, hoping I’d find her? Did she cry when he abused her? Was it all my fault?”
She stroked a dark hair from his forehead. “How can this be your fault, Tony?”
“She was working that second job to take care of me. Had I never been born, maybe she would have lived.”
“You can’t carry this on your shoulders, Tony. You didn't ask to be born. She had you.”
His heart ached. “Did she suffer? While he killed her, was she thinking about me? I have all these questions, and I can’t answer them. Finding her didn't make it easier. It made it so much harder. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to hold up under this.”
“Fate put us together, Tony. If you didn't find me on the last case, If I didn't run, then you wouldn’t have chased, and we wouldn’t be here. It’s all come full circle. This was all meant to happen. This is unfolding exactly how it’s supposed to be. You were always meant to be right here, right now.”
He knew she was right.
It didn't make it easier.
“Maybe Elizabeth didn't want to hurt you with this. If she walked in and pointed at a pile of bones, telling you they were your mother, it would have been all you remembered. Instead, she had me give her a face. Part of that was to give you a good memory, Tony. She loves you. They all do. You can tell.”
He was aware, but it didn't solve his one fundamental problem.
“I don’t know what to do. For the first time, I’m not sure how to do my job. My mother is dead. I have proof.”
She leaned down to kiss him on the lips. “Let us help you. You’re a victim too. Let the team that you’ve called friends and family for the last twelve years take over. They’ll circle around you, keep you safe, and get you the answers you ne
ed. You just need to trust them.”
Her words caused him so much pain. That bridge was already torched to the ground. “It’s too late. I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I tore into Elizabeth. I may be fired. I went after her for what she did. I called her names, I dumped my emotional shit all over her.”
He’d been an asshole.
“Even if that happens, I think you know the tech team, Doctor Leonard, and the bosses will fight to find the truth, even if you said questionable things. I may not get your relationship with them, but as an outsider, I can see it runs deep. Let them help you. Let me help you.”
Tony sighed, wanting to weep, but he couldn’t make the tears come.
“I don’t deserve you, Jaxon. Thank you for coming to find me.”
She opened her arms, and immediately, he went into them. The lack of hesitation spoke volumes of what they shared. This was love, and it wrapped around them in a protective cocoon.
“I don’t know if I can do it,” he admitted.
She kissed him on the lips. “We can do it together. You should know that by now. You nearly died for me, so let me bear this for you. It’s the least I can do for the man I love.”
Jaxon was right.
Tony didn't really have a choice. The people he’d just ripped to shreds with his words were the only ones who could get him the answers he needed.
Damn!
He’d wished he’d never been so angry. Now, he’d have to work for it.
He’d start with Chris.
And hope he could fix this mess.
Once in the hotel, she went to head past the front desk, only to be stopped by the concierge. “Yes?” she asked when he called her name.
“You have a message from a Gabriel Rothschild,” he offered.
That puzzled Elizabeth. Why hadn’t he just called her on her cell phone? Taking the paper from him, she read it over.
‘I can’t reach you. I need an update on your situation.’
Pulling out her phone, she checked the bars. Yeah, reception was still sketchy here in the hotel. It looked like it wasn’t just the woods.
“Thank you,” she offered.
Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) Page 40
