by Karen Ward
"Mr. Drake, This is Detective Long. I wanted to let you know that we identified a print found on the lock of the storage unit. It belongs to Philip Jonas. It is my understanding that he was Mr. Reynolds' butler at the time of his death so it stands to reason his prints might have been on some of the items. He has a small rap sheet but nothing serious. A few speeding tickets but one count of assault and intimidation filed by a former employer, a Mr. Samuel Williams from Bellaire. We tried to contact Mr. Williams but he died in a car accident two years ago. He ran his car off a mountain."
Dylan's initial instinct is that Samuel Williams was murdered. He asks, "Detective Long, what was Mr. Williams' occupation?'
"Hmmm, let me see, I believe he owned a very successful hotel. Why do you ask?"
"Did you by any chance find any connection between Samuel Williams and the mob?" asks Dylan.
"The hotel changed hands right after his death and is now controlled by a group that is linked to the mob. Do you think a connection may exist to Mr. Reynolds death?"
"Mr. Reynolds was putting together financing so he could film a documentary about the mob and I believe there is a connection to his death. I believe it is worth investigating. Would you mind sending me a copy of that print? I want to run it through our government databases."
"I've already checked the FBI database. What other access do you have?" asks Detective Long.
"My company does a lot of work for the government and we have top level security clearance," answers Dylan.
"I'll send it right away. Let me know if you turn up anything," says Detective Long.
******
Soon after disconnecting, Dylan's cell phone rings again. "Scoot"
"Scoot, Stump here. You're going to have to come to DC. This is big."
"All right, Stump. I'll fly out this afternoon. I'll let you know what time to pick me up," answers Dylan. Damn! What next? At least Skye will be safe here. Tracking Barry down in the barn he tells him about his unplanned trip to DC and asks him to watch Damian and take care of Skye. Then heading to the house he finds her in the kitchen.
"Skye?"
"Hello Dylan, what brings you over here this morning?"
"Listen, I've got to go to DC for a few days. Damian is going to stay over here with you, Barry, and Melanie. I'm not sure when I'll be back. Don't leave the ranch while I'm gone. I spoke to Detective Long this morning. They found the butler's print on the lock to the storage unit."
"Did they really? That was a brand new lock. He was never near it. How did ... Oh ... he is the one that broke into the storage unit wasn't he?"
"That's what I think. It just reaffirms my belief that he murdered your father. I don't want you in any danger so stay here please. You'll be safe here."
"I will. I'll miss you, please be careful,"
He pulls me into his arms and says, "I'll miss you too," as he lowers his head for a tender kiss. "I love you Skye."
"I love you too."
When Dylan reaches DC he learns that he, Stump, and Pinky are flying out immediately for a top secret mission in Central America. They are expecting to be gone about three weeks.
******
Goose returns from Texas and helps Evelyn and the kids get settled in the new house in Cody Wyoming. Evelyn is nice to Goose but gives him no encouragement. She treats him like a friend or big brother.
Goose is disappointed. He had hoped spending time with Evelyn while they packed and traveled to Wyoming would give him an opening to pursue a relationship with her, but she is still adamant that she isn't going to depend on any man. Well, he'll have to be patient.
When he returns to the ranch he finds a list of instructions on the desk from Dylan. First on the list is to run the fingerprint sent to him from Detective Long through the databases. When he runs the fingerprint through their government databases he is surprised to find it returns too different matches. One match is to a Philip Jonas, and is not particularly disturbing. He has a short rap sheet but nothing serious. When he pulls the other match a cold chill runs down his back. It comes back as James Philip Jones, professional hit man for the Las Vegas mob. He prints off the information and goes in search of Barry and finds him in his study.
"Barry, do you know why Scoot was trying to match this fingerprint?" asks Goose.
"No, not really, why, what did you find?" asks Barry.
"Well, I got two different matches. One is relatively innocuous but the other is downright scary. The guy is a professional hit man for the mob."
I am walking by the study and hear part of the conversation so I ask, "Are you guys talking about the fingerprint Detective Long sent to Dylan?"
"Yes, do you know anything about it?" ask Barry.
"Well, the police pulled it off of the lock on my storage unit in LA. Dylan thinks it belongs to the person that broke in. Detective Long says it belongs to the man that was our butler when my father died. Why? What did you find out?"
Barry and Goose look at each other and then Barry says, "You better sit down Skye."
I sit in the chair next to the desk, a knot of apprehension growing in my stomach.
Barry takes a deep breath and says, "Skye, the print belongs to a professional hit man for the mob, James Philip Jones. It also came back as belonging to Philip Jonas, your former butler. Jones was thought to have died in a fire back in 1999 so he evidently reincarnated himself as Philip Jonas."
A cold chill runs down my back. "Oh God, we've got to tell Dylan!"
Barry and Goose exchange another look and Barry says, "Dylan is out of the country Skye. It may be a while before he gets back and until he does we can't contact him."
Tears spring to my eyes. I know in my heart that Dylan is on some dangerous mission for the government. I mentally shake myself and say, "I see. Then I guess we better contact Detective Long."
Barry says, "I think our first call needs to be to the FBI. Evidently they haven't connected these dots yet. Maybe they have more information on Philip Jonas."
******
It's been three weeks since Dylan left and I am worried. I hate not knowing where he is and that he is safe. I spoke to Detective Long two weeks ago telling him what Goose found when he matched Philip Jonas' fingerprint. Detective Long was doubtful until Barry got on the phone and assured him that what I told him was true. He even had to explain to the detective his connection to Dylan Drake before he would take them seriously. He finally agreed to reopen the investigation into the death of Benjamin Reynolds.
Word the police are reopening the investigation reached the media and I am fascinated reading the stories appearing all over the internet about me and my father.
The FBI is actively searching for Jonas but so far they haven't located him.
******
Philip Jonas is furious. Why have the police reopened that investigation? It has to be because of that bitch, Skye Reynolds. As loony as she is he doesn't understand why anyone would take her seriously. Last he heard she had disappeared. Well, all he has to do is lay low. The Paparazzi will smoke her out then he can take care of her too.
According to what he has read, she has only been seen in public twice in the last four years and both of those times were recent. Once down in Texas where she attended some guy's trial with Barry Farrady and then a few weeks ago in LA. She was with the guy that had been on trial in Texas, one Dylan Drake. He must be her body guard or something. In the meantime he needs to start planning his demise again.
******
Dylan will be glad when this assignment is over. It's already been three weeks and there is no end in sight yet. He is sick of sleeping on the ground and fighting the insects. He misses Skye so much it is causing a physical hurt deep in his soul. His arms ache to hold her and he has a perpetual ache in his groin. Mentally shaking himself he refocuses on the mission. His life depends on his concentration.
******
I am scheduled to go to LA to give a deposition in the Richard Thomas rape case. The police did question Thomas abou
t his participation in the rape and he identified the five other men. They are in custody and I will be required to testify in their case. Of course, the lawyers of the defendants in the case are taking full advantage of the media coverage having press conferences almost daily. It is well known that I will be travelling to LA for the deposition.
With Dylan still out of the country, Skye's protection falls to Goose. He and Barry contacted Bear in Phoenix and asked him to meet Goose in LA to help protect her. It will be a one day trip.
Phillip Jonas is practically licking his lips in anticipation. The bitch is coming to LA for a deposition. All he has to do is kidnap her, kill her, and his troubles will be over. Without her to push the investigation it will die a peaceful death.
******
After the deposition is complete, a limousine picks up Goose and I to carry us back to the airport. Bear has a bad feeling from the minute they get in the car. It is the same nervous itch that saved his life more than once in Vietnam. His heart is racing by the time he sees them pull away.
Relying on his instincts he jumps into the nearest news van and takes off after them. The reporter and cameraman in the back are yelling for him to stop but he keeps right on following the limousine. They know the guy driving was one of Skye Reynolds' bodyguards. The reporter says, "Hey, what's going on?"
Bear says, "I'm not sure, but something's wrong. Sit back and get everything on film."
So, they do just as he suggests. One of the reporters says, "I thought they were going to the airport. They are going in the wrong direction. This highway leads up into the mountains."
Goose knows something's wrong too. He and Skye are trapped. The doors are locked, the glass is all bulletproof and the guy is driving like some kind of maniac.
Because of the media coverage of the chase, the police have joined. A police helicopter is flying overhead. When the limousine tops a hill and Jonas sees the roadblock ahead he pulls to the side of the road, sliding open the bulletproof glass that separates the driver from the passengers he aims and fires twice hitting Goose who was trying to protect Skye from the bullets with his body.
Jonas then jerks open the back door and grabs my arm dragging me up the hill into the woods.
Bear stops the van in the middle of the highway and runs up the hill in pursuit of Jonas and Skye. I am scared but not terrified as I once would have been. I was surprised when I realized Philip Jonas was driving the limousine. I am thinking unusually clearly to be so scared. My .45 is in my purse, all I have to do is get to it.
The terrain is steep and the brush is thick so Jonas is having difficulty making his way up the hill. On a particularly steep incline, I dig in my heels and jerk backwards pulling Jonas off balance. As he tumbles backwards he loses his grip on my arm. Scrambling away, I start digging in my purse and retrieve the pistol. When I look behind me I see him scrambling back up the hill trying to catch me. Stopping, I turn, aim, and fire.
I see his eyes widen when he sees the pistol. The force of the bullet hitting him in the chest knocks him backwards and he tumbles back down the hill and comes to a stop at Bear's feet.
Bear quickly feels for a pulse in his neck and determines Jonas is dead. He runs to me and enfolds me in his big arms holding me as I cry. Bear says, "I'm proud of you girl. You did the right thing."
Smiling through my tears, I nod.
The police are soon swarming all over the area.
Once I answer all of their questions Bear and I get the reporter in the van Bear commandeered to take us to the hospital to check on Goose. Bear calls Barry to let him know what has happened and to not expect us back at the ranch tonight.
Goose was flown by Care Flight to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for a bullet wound to his abdomen. A Kevlar vest stopped the first bullet which would have pierced his heart. He is in stable condition but lost a lot of blood and is still unconscious.
The reporter whose van was commandeered by Bear is thrilled. He now has the story of a lifetime and scooped all of the other Paparazzi. To make things even better, I agreed to an exclusive interview.
Detective Long finds me sitting by Goose's bed late that night. He escorts me out of the ICU to the waiting room where he updates Bear and I on the police investigation.
"Ms. Reynolds, I wanted to tell you everything we have learned from our investigation. We found the original limousine driver's body in the trunk. James Philip Jones, more recently known as Philip Jonas was evidently a vain person. In his apartment we found a trophy case where he kept news stories of all of his "kills". Stories about the death of your father, Benjamin Reynolds, as well as another man he had worked for as butler, Samuel Williams, were included in the display. We believe we'll be able to solve several other unsolved cases thanks to the stories in his display. With the new evidence, the medical examiner's report on your father's death will be changed to indicate he was murdered. The police will notify the insurance company of the change and you should be hearing from them soon.
I also want to say that I think you are a very brave young woman, not to mention a very good shot. You have done the world a great service by killing Jones."
I blush at his praise. Then I thank the detective for his help and return to the bedside of my friend, Reginald "Goose" Willingham. I spend the entire night at the bedside praying for his recovery and for the safety of Dylan, Pinky, and Stump.
Early the next morning I am surprised but pleased when Evelyn enters Goose's hospital room. He still hasn't regained consciousness and I am getting worried. Evelyn walks over to the side of the bed. She leans over placing her hand on his chest and gently kisses him on the lips.
She lays her head on his chest and with tears streaming from her eyes and pooling on his chest, Evelyn says, "Reggie, don't leave me. I need you. I'm sorry I've been so stubborn. Please don't leave me."
I quietly watch the scene play out before me. Evelyn is distraught and sobbing. For almost a half an hour she begs Goose not to leave her. I am surprised when finally I see a small smile tugging at the corners of Goose's lips. He slowly opens his eyes and says, "Evelyn, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Do you mean it? Do you need me?"
"Yes, Reggie. I mean it. I'm so sorry," says Evelyn, her heart pounding with relief.
I rise from my chair and leave the room giving them privacy. My heart warms knowing they are finally working out their issues and that Goose is going to be all right. My heart aches for Dylan. When is he coming back to her?
I think back to the dream I had the night before Goose and I left for LA and cold chills run down my spine. The dream was horrible. Dylan was lying in a pool of blood with life slowly seeping from his body. I screamed and woke up shaking uncontrollably. I cried for hours and begged him not to leave me. I wasn't able to go back to sleep or erase the vision from my mind.
CHAPTER 11
Three months have passed and I am preparing to testify in the rape trials scheduled for next week. Bear and Goose will once again accompany me to LA. Barry is also testifying and will be coming to LA after jury selection is complete.
Dylan, Pinky, and Stump still haven't returned and Barry is telling me they are still out of the country. Goose and Evelyn are madly in love and spend every moment together. They are planning a wedding for as soon as Dylan and the others return.
I have spent a lot of time with Damian since Dylan left almost five months ago and he and I have become very close. Damian asks me frequently when his father will return and I feel guilty when I tell him soon, because I really don't know. I pray Dylan is safe and I am haunted by the memory of the dream.
******
Damian is playing Little League baseball in Cody and I have been taking him to and from practice. His first game is scheduled for Friday night. He is very excited. Venturing out regularly with the boy, I have learned how to avoid the press and they seem to have backed off some since the story about me killing Philip Jonas hit the newsstand.
Evelyn, Goose, and her children are meeting Damian
and me at the game. Damian is playing first base and is one of the best players on the team. Goose has spent a lot of time playing ball with Damian, Eric, and Jeff and they have all improved their skills.
Damian plays an outstanding game and hits a home run to score the winning run. I am so proud of him. When the game is over he runs off the field and throws his arms around me. I lift him up and swing him around. As I set him on the ground I hear, "Great game, Sport."
I jerk my head around, my heart pounding excitedly, and see a bearded Dylan walking toward us. He looks so good my mouth waters. My heart pounding I survey him from head to toe as he walks toward me. His hair is longer and he has the full beard. He looks like he has lost some weight but he looks so good. My heart is soaring, Dylan is finally home!
Dylan's heart is pounding with excitement. Skye is so beautiful. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail and her long legs are encased in a pair of tight fitting jeans. The lightweight sweater is clinging to her breasts and he aches to pull her into his arms. As he approaches them he sees Damian run to her and throw his arms around her. His heart expands with love for this beautiful woman and his son.
At the sound of his voice, Damian bolts toward his father jumping up into his arms. As Dylan gets to me still carrying Damian in his arms, he sees tears in my eyes and he puts his arm around me pulling me close as he leans down and places a warm kiss on my lips.
Goose slaps him on the back and says, "It's about time you lazy jokers got back. You missed all the fun."
Dylan turns toward Goose and sees that he has his arm firmly around his sister's waist and she has a huge smile playing about her lips. Grinning Dylan says, "I'm thinking it might be just as well that I missed some of the fun." He pulls Evelyn into a warm embrace and adds, "You better treat her right or I may have to teach you a lesson."
Blushing Goose says, "That's not a problem, Evelyn and I are getting married now that you're back. I wasn't referring to us when I said you missed all the fun. We had a little trouble in LA while you were gone."
Frowning Dylan asks, "What kind of trouble?"
