Ethan didn't buy it. “That’s a long hike. She was your size. If he carried her, he was either in really good…”
Blackhawk stopped.
The clothes.
The location.
The chain that was around her neck.
It all began falling into place.
“Ethan?” Elizabeth asked.
“She wasn’t brought here. She escaped to this location. Here is where he must have caught up with her.”
Elizabeth scanned the area. It made sense. The ground looked rolled on and there was some blood splatters. “He chased her through the trees to catch her. So, what’s near here? Where did they come from?”
Chris pulled out his phone and on the map he zoomed in. “There are houses nearby. I take that back. They look like little cabins.”
The killer was beginning to get sloppy. This was a big score for them. They could work their way down the list and find the man behind this.
“Before you tell me to get you all their addresses,” Ethan stated, “please know that these are mountain folk. They don’t exactly reply to the census,” he warned. “They shoot at them, not invite them in for cookies.”
She didn't doubt that at all.
“You’ll figure it out.”
Ethan sighed. “It’ll take me some time.”
She patted him on the arm. “Don’t worry. We have all the time in the world.”
That surprised him. Generally, she was a push, push, push kind of person. “We do?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Hell no. Someone’s life is depending on you finding the killer’s house. I say hustle up, Cowboy.”
At that moment, he really wished his brother was with them. Then, he could pass this monumental task off on him. It was wrong, but he couldn’t help it.
He hated grunt work.
He always did.
“Yeah, no pressure there, Elizabeth,” he stated. “Thanks for that.”
She grinned. “You’re more than welcome.”
~ Chapter Twenty ~
Tuesday Afternoon
Callen was so distracted that he barely heard the ping of his tablet. Picking it up, he engaged the video call and found his father’s not-so-smiling face waiting for him.
Immediately, he was worried.
“Are the kids okay?” he blurted.
Wyler nodded. “Yes, son, they’re good. I’m not calling about them. I’m calling to talk to you.”
That confused him. “Okay, what’s up?”
“Callen, I want to apologize for what happened the other day. I didn't mean to hurt you with that shitty woman comment. I was angry with myself and looking to make someone else a target.”
Callen relaxed. “It’s okay, Dad.”
Wyler knew it hurt his son, and he’d promised to be the kind of father they deserved, not the kind of man he’d been while they were kids.
“No, it’s not. You’re my child, and I broke your heart enough as you were growing up. The last thing you needed or deserved was my hurtful words.”
He let his father speak.
“I was pissed. I know all my life I’ve made poor choices. I really believed that giving up the booze and random sex was behind me. I’m ashamed to say that I was weak. I don’t love the woman I fell back into bed with. Not in the least. It’s just easier to be with someone than to remember every second of the day that I fucked up.”
Callen knew his father regretted cheating on Ethan’s mother. She was his soul mate. It stung a little because he was the product of that betrayal.
“It’s okay, Dad. I know you loved Ethan’s mother and not mine. I’ve accepted that. You shouldn’t suffer over this. I was a mistake, but it all worked out.”
Wyler looked horrified.
“Do you believe you were a mistake? Jesus, Callen. I pray that you’re not thinking that little of yourself. Not because of me.”
He didn't say anything. For many years, he wondered why he was put on the earth. He believed there was some error by the Great Spirit, and he was the outcome.
“When your mother told me she was having you, Callen, I wanted you.”
“Dad, it’s okay…”
Wyler cut him off. “No, it’s not. I wanted you. She was going to terminate the pregnancy. She threatened to end it. I fought for you, even in my screwed up state. She wanted money to keep you alive. I gave her everything I had.”
This was news to him. Callen struggled to think back to his childhood. It was all a blank, until he was old enough and the abuse began.
“She was going to turn you over after you were born. I was going to beg my wife to let you be part of our family.
Callen believed that Catherine Blackhawk would have taken him in too. She was incredibly kind. He knew his brother got that trait from her.
“Only, after she had you, Charlene used you as leverage. I was her wallet. She wouldn’t let me see you. She asked for money, or she was going to ‘adopt you out’. I didn't see you as a mistake, Callen. I wanted my son.”
He felt the anger building up. It was this hot ball of hate that lived in his gut. “If you wanted me so much, then why all the drinking, Dad? If you really cared about me, why did you piss my youth away?”
His face went somber. “I did it to numb the pain. I cheated, I created a mess, and I had to make myself pay. I tried to forget in the bottle, Callen James. I didn't want to forget you. I wanted to forget how I failed. I was the mistake, not you, son. You were a gift, but one out of my reach.”
Callen’s eyes filled with tears. A little piece of the wound he carried on his heart mended. His father did want him.
“I’ve always loved you, Callen. I just did this all wrong. I should have gone to her cabin, kicked in the door, and taken my child. I just couldn’t find the strength to do it. I wasn’t my father. He would have fought an army for you boys. I’m not him. Again, I was the mistake.”
The anger slipped away. “I love you, Dad. I will always love you, but you’re hurting yourself. I’ve learned in therapy that I can’t pay for my past. I can only forgive it and move forward.”
“You’re in therapy?” Wyler asked.
Of course he was going to pick up on that one sentence. It was the only one Callen didn't want him to dwell on.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I have issues I’m working through.”
Wyler was curious.
Callen could see it on his face.
Crap!
Crap!
Crap!
“I hope you’ll tell me about them one day,” Wyler offered. He saw the look on his son’s face, and that meant something was going on.
He would get to the bottom of it.
“I’m sorry, son,” he offered.
“Stop sleeping with Bly, Dad. She’s not worth your soul. I learned that from Desdemona. It’s better to not be with anyone than to compromise your heart and pick someone unworthy of your love.”
He knew that from his past.
“Isn't that what you told me after Desdemona?”
“Yes, son.”
“I have to go, Dad. Kiss the kids for us. I have to help Elizabeth find this killer.”
He nodded. “I love you, Callen.”
The screen went black.
Callen had that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that he’d screwed this up.
Royally.
* * *
Hotel
When they arrived, they were assaulted with a plate full of cookies. It was as if the concierge knew the way to her heart. Warm chocolate chip cookies were like crack to a pregnant woman. Elizabeth couldn’t say no to them.
Taking one from the tray, the man spoke, “There were no calls today, ma’am. I’ll assume the man found you.”
She nodded, practically inhaling the sweet goodness. Elizabeth was starving.
“Yes, he did, thank you.”
As they went to move past him, he stopped them. “Two more things, ma’am,” he said, getting their attent
ion.
“Yes?”
“My boss wants to know how long the FBI will be staying here. He has a convention coming in, and the rooms were prebooked. He doesn’t want to kick you out, but our hands are tied.”
Ethan immediately made a mental note to begin searching for a backup location.
“We won’t be here much longer,” she replied. “We’re close to wrapping it up.”
“That’s great! Belleville will be safe once more.”
She nodded. “What was the second thing?” she asked.
Reaching under the counter, he pulled out a little carton of milk sitting on a plate with a few more cookies.
“Sweet bouncing baby Jesus, I’m in heaven,” she stated.
“I’m glad to make your day, ma’am. As concierge here, it’s my duty to cater to our guests. Besides, I once read that pregnant women need calcium. I thought you’d like a snack.”
She started laughing. “I may move in. The men in my life have been grotesquely slacking in the feeding department.”
Ethan looked offended. “Hey! I shared my cookie with you yesterday. I also gave you half of my bagel this morning.”
She grinned. “It’s your child. Stop your bitchin’ because it’s unattractive.”
Johnny laughed before heading behind the counter. “Have a good night, folks. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
They headed to the elevators.
“I can’t believe you think I’ve neglected feeding you,” he said, crossing his arms.
She laughed.
“Well, wait. I’m going to make you hate the sight of food.”
Elizabeth was amused. “Ethan, you’ve never been pregnant. At this stage, I could eat people—small barbecue covered people with a side of fries.”
“Elizabeth!” he admonished. “We’ve had a case like that.”
She started laughing. “I am well aware.”
Inside the room, they found Callen sitting at the table concentrating.
Elizabeth’s heart skipped in her chest when she saw him wearing his glasses as he worked out something on paper. With his brown hair growing back, the glasses, and the serious look on his face, she was finding herself distracted.
“Oh, hey!” he said, looking up.
Immediately, she dropped the plate onto the table and sat in his lap as Ethan took off his suit jacket. When she kissed him, he forgot everything around him.
“Wow, what was that for?” he asked, once the kiss ended.
“That was for staying here without a fight, and because you look sexy in glasses.”
He put them back on his face. “Maul away. I’m going to wear them to bed tonight.”
Blackhawk snorted. “I don’t feed you enough, and now his poor eyesight is erotic? This pregnancy thing is killing me.”
Callen reached into his bag and pulled out a package of jerky. “I was at the vending machine. I thought you needed protein.”
Ethan rolled his eyes.
“Cookies and milk? Is Santa coming?” he teased.
She wiggled in his lap before whispering in his ear. “Oh, someone’s going to be coming later, and he’s not a fat man in a red suit.”
His blood pressure shot up.
“Ho, ho, ho.”
Before he could suggest they take a break, she was already ripping into the jerky and focused on the board.
“You added more details,” she said.
Ethan stared at his brother. “You’re screwed now,” he teased. “You put your hands all over her whiteboard.”
She didn't make a witty comment. In fact, she seemed to be fascinated with the information.
“Lyzee, baby, do you want dinner?” Ethan asked, watching her munch on processed salt laden jerky. He hoped she didn't pickle his child.
She didn't reply.
“Elizabeth?” he said again.
Instead of answering, she dropped the jerky and picked up the board, dragging it closer to the couch.
The men watched her.
They’d already lost her. Elizabeth was going into her ‘whiteboard trance’, and there was nothing they could do about it.
She was checking out for the time being.
“The little woman is officially checked out,” stated Callen. They knew that when she was focused on a case toward the end, this is what happened.
“Okay, that’s a dead end. Cal, do you want dinner?” Ethan asked, picking out a pile of takeout menus.
“Yeah, that sounds good. Chinese?” he asked.
Blackhawk began dialing. “Yeah, and then I’ll tell you all about what we found. I have more research for you.”
“I hope it’s good news?”
He laughed, thinking about all the paperwork he could dump on his brother. This might work out after all. “Yeah, it really is.”
For him…
* * *
Wednesday Morning
Hotel
Tony and Jaxon were up early. They’d rolled around, laughed, and talked about their future. When they finally managed to get dressed, they headed downstairs for breakfast.
As they sat at a table, surrounded by people who worked there and were staying there, Tony seemed distant.
Jaxon didn't know what had happened. Just an hour ago, he had been making love to her like a man on a mission.
Now he was retreating.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, watching the concierge wipe down the breakfast bar.
He didn't know if he should go there. It was ruining his breakfast. Certainly, it would ruin hers too.
“You should tell me. We’re going to get married, right?”
He didn't hold back because she had a point. “I’m thinking about the whole case. I can’t believe that my mom had another child, and he’s killing women. It’s so sick and twisted, and I can’t help but wonder if she was horrified.”
“Maybe she loved her other child too, Tony. Killers aren’t born, they’re made. You know that.”
He hoped so. “I have to believe she loved me more. It’s the only thing I can use to get through all this. If I’m selfish and focus on that, I’m not dwelling on the rest.”
She understood.
“He’s fucked up, Jaxy. Now I wonder if our DNA is bad, and I’ll go crazy one day too.”
Jaxon smiled. “Sweetheart, his father was the crazy one. You remember your mother, right?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me about her.”
He thought back. “She was young. I already told you that my dad knocked her up and bailed.”
“Tell me the things about her you loved.”
“She could draw. I remember waking up on holidays and she’d make me a book full of pictures to color. We didn't have a lot, but she made it special.”
Jaxon bet she did.
“She couldn’t make cookies to save her life. She burned them all the time. So, instead she made brownies. They were gooey and filled with chocolate.”
She ran her fingers up and down his arm. “What else?”
“She wanted to be a nurse. My mom wanted to help people.”
“Know what I think?”
He stared into her eyes. “What?”
“I think she missed you and wanted to be home with you every day she was gone. I bet she loved you best, because you grew up together. Those twelve years had to be incredibly special to her.”
He sighed. “Thank you for that, Jaxon. Thank you for pulling me up out of that mire. I was sinking fast.”
She leaned over to kiss him. “It’s my pleasure. What else are wives-to-be for?”
As he pulled away, his cell began ringing. Staring down, he knew he needed to take this.
“Hello?”
Jaxon watched as his face morphed from peaceful back to troubled.
“Okay, Donald, I’ll be right there.”
Hanging up, he took her hand in his. “I have to head to the dig site. Doctor Seston is tearing the tents apart. She apparently decided to go on a booze bender last nig
ht after Elizabeth fired her.”
“Want me to go with you?”
He laughed. “Uh, no. You need to stay far away from her. I’ll handle this and meet you at the morgue.” He glanced over at Chris. “Can you hop a ride with them to the lab? I’d feel better.”
She stood up. “Yes, Dad.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips before he slapped her on the ass. “Don’t be bold, my minx. You know what will happen.”
She flushed. “I love you,” she called as he walked away.
He winked at her. “I love you too, my bride-to-be.”
With that, he rushed out to handle the shit that was hitting the fan. He had to give Ethan and Elizabeth Blackhawk credit. This boss thing was exhausting.
Jaxon watched him leave. The sight of his ass in his jeans, the way he slapped her on the behind, and the way people were staring at him heated her body. She needed to head back to the room, take a cold shower, and stop thinking of Tony naked.
That was going to be one hell of a hard job.
* * *
Elizabeth barely slept all night. After seeing Callen’s additions to the whiteboard, there was this nagging little voice going off in her head.
It was screaming that they were missing something.
She’d been so bogged down in issues with Oracle, this case, being away from the men, that she was sure she dropped the ball.
Who else could she blame?
She was running this.
When she glanced over, it was hard not to notice that both men were staring at her.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re in the zone. What’s happening in your head?” Callen asked.
“Nothing. I’m tripping myself up over this. I really need to talk to Madden and Seaton. Can you get them in here? Maybe they can help me work this out. I can’t help but believe that the surveillance video is going to break this open. The killer is slipping. He may not have covered his tracks all that well.”
“I’ll make the call,” Callen offered.
Dead Shall Speak (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 10) Page 53
