Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  Del grinned widely. “Please tell me this is where I get to go tell my clients they are under arrest.”

  The Director nodded her head. “Yes ma’am. This is where you get to tell your clients they are under arrest. I’m going to ride with you, posing as Arthur’s attorney going out there to inform them of his passing and to tell them the contents of the will.”

  “Best news I’ve heard all day. When do you plan on going about this? Is it okay if we have a few minutes to calm down some? I want to be under complete control of myself when I get to the Kingsley place,” Del asked, standing next to Raelin and laying a comforting hand on the small of her back.

  “Yes, we have total control of the town right now. We’ve set up roadblocks at either end of town and have arranged to have a blackout. No cell, computers, or landline phones will work other than ours, so there’s no way that anyone can escape or get a warning to anyone else. Take ten minutes and then we’ll head out,” the Director stated before she turned to look through Jasper’s files.

  Del nodded and turned to Raelin, giving her a searching look. “Are you going to be all right?”

  Nodding her head, Raelin stepped towards her lover. “I’ll be okay once this is all over. Do you think that there is some place that we can go to be alone for a minute?”

  “Yeah, sure. Spaulding, we’ll be right back okay?” Getting a nod from Kasey, Del took Raelin’s hand and led her into the small storeroom attached to the office and closed the door. “This okay? Not exactly the Hilton.” The blonde grinned.

  Wrapping her arms around the blonde, Raelin rested her chin on top of Del’s head and sighed. “It seems that it is to me. I needed to touch you.”

  Del sighed returning the embrace. “Well, you won’t get a complaint out of me. Did things go okay with your father?” she asked.

  Closing her eyes, Raelin was quiet for a few moments before she whispered, “We got to say what we needed to say. We told each other that we loved each other, and that’s what important. I told him about you, and he said that you must be pretty special, and you are. You’re everything to me, Delaney.”

  “I love you too Darlin’ and I’m glad I passed the daddy test,” she turned her head and pressed a light kiss to Raelin’s chin, giving her waist a gentle squeeze.

  “He said that he had my school pictures and that he saw me on my first day of school every year. That means that even though he wasn’t in my life, I was in his a little bit.” Raelin tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but was finding it hard to do.

  “I guess you didn’t know it, but you were daddy’s little princess all along. I’m glad you were able to make peace.” The detective leaned back and played with the edges of Raelin’s vest.

  Raelin smiled down at the blonde, letting her presence soothe the pains in her heart. Reaching up, she let her fingers glide along Del’s jaw. “This is almost over, and soon you won’t have a reason to stay, but I’m going to ask you to. Stay with me, Delaney. We can have a good life here. I want to spend my life with you.”

  “There was never any question of that Darlin’. Of course I’ll stay with you,” she pulled Raelin down for a lengthy kiss, only breaking it when she needed to breathe. “I do, however, have things to tie up in New Orleans: my office for one. I’ll need to try to find a place to set up shop in town here, that’s if anyone is going to be willing to rent to the person they think brought all this trouble on them”

  “Well, there is going to be an empty store available soon. Maybe you can move in here.” The brunette was just glad that Delaney had said that she was going to stay. It had always been in the back of her mind that the blonde wasn’t going to stay, and for Del to say that she was going to stay, eased the stress of the day tremendously.

  “Perhaps, but the reality is, it’s owned by the Kingsley’s. Considering they’re about to be arrested, they’re going to lose everything to the lawyers and civil lawsuits from all of the girls’ families. Hopefully, they’ll put everything up for resale, but who knows? Not to mention, I don’t have that kind of money. I think it’s safe to say I’m not going to get my pay from the Kingsleys.” Del chuckled.

  A light tapping on the door interrupted whatever Raelin was going to say and they heard Kasey voice on the other side. “Ryerson just got back from the other stings so Director Jacobs wants to get the game plan started. She’d like for you to join us.”

  “Sure, we’ll be right there Kasey,” Del called back. She turned her attention back to her witch and pulled her down for a gentle kiss. “Looks like it’s go time. I’ll be careful as long as you promise the same.”

  Leaning down, Raelin captured Delaney’s lips and kissed her hard. “I love you Delaney.”

  “I love you too Raelin. Now let’s go clean up this town.” Del smiled, giving Raelin a last kiss before she left the storeroom and joined the other agents around the desk in the office.

  The Director was pointing to a map. “Delacroix and I will drive up the entranceway and go inside. I’ll introduce myself as the late Mr. Kingsleys attorney and let them know of his passing and then the terms of his will. While we distract Regina and AJ, the rest of you will enter the house and wait for my signal.”

  “The Kingsleys do not have any surveillance equipment that I remember and I don’t recall seeing sensors on the door when they let me in, so you should be able to open windows or doors without being detected by motion sensors. The son AJ runs the furniture store, so he shouldn’t be home either, but watch for his wife and kid,” Del said looking over the blueprints of the house.

  “We have reports they are out of town. She decided that she wanted to go to New Orleans for shopping,” Ryerson piped up.

  “Excellent then. Let’s get this show on the road.” The Director headed out towards the SUV’s and Delaney’s Jeep to head towards the Kingsley estate.

  j

  Del fiddled with the earpiece in her ear. She’d taken her ponytail out to cover it, but it made her ear itch, and it was a little disconcerting to be hearing random voices in her ear. The ride over was quiet as both women kept their minds on the work, and Del watched in the mirror as the SUVs pulled back to let them approach the house alone. They would move in once they’d captured Regina’s attention. She pulled the Jeep to a stop in the circular drive, getting out and heading for the door with the Director beside her. With a nod from the Director, she knocked on the door and waited.

  AJ opened the door sporting a swollen nose from his abrupt encounter with the grocery store door. “Well, if it isn’t Ms. Delacroix...and a friend.” He changed his tone of voice when he saw the director. “How can I help you lovely ladies today?”

  Del carefully hid the surprise at seeing AJ, and flashed him a smile. “I come with both good and bad news. Do you mind if we step in? We’d like to speak with your mother as well.”

  “Of course, won’t you please come in?” He stepped aside, motioning the women in. “I’m sure that you remember the way, Ms. Delacroix, I’ll go get Mother.”

  “Mr. Kingsley, would you mind if we pulled the blinds. I have a slight problem with bright light, hence my dark glasses.” The Director brought the man’s attention to herself.

  When AJ agreed, Del nodded and led the Director to the library, closing the blinds and choosing to forgo sitting. She heard the chatter in her ear of the other agents making adjustments for the added complications of having AJ home. She waited casually as AJ returned with Regina in tow. “Mrs. Kingsley, good to see you well.”

  “Ms. Delacroix, it’s about time that you showed up to report. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to run off.” The older woman turned to the Director and looked her up and down. “And who would you be?”

  Walking forward with her hand out, the Director introduced herself. “Nancy Jacobs. I am your husband’s attorney. I happened to run into Ms. Delacroix here in town, and she kindly agreed to escort me out here. I have the unfortunate duty to inform you of your husband’s passing and have brought his will.”
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  “You found my husband? No one has heard hide nor hair of him in years. What happened to my Arthur?” Regina asked, conjuring up some tears.

  “I’m afraid that he succumbed to a bad heart. He had been ill for quite a long time, but did pass away peacefully. He had recently filed his will with the court, so if you wish, I can go over it with you now.” Jacobs sat down and put her briefcase on the floor next to her.

  AJ glanced at his mother, unconsciously wetting his lips. His father had told him once that he would be left the civil war guns and the property on the west side of town. He could sell everything and leave this one-horse town.

  “It doesn’t matter now that Arthur is gone, but go ahead. It’s a small compensation for my husband.” Regina sniffed, sitting heavily in a chair.

  Del stood quietly at the Director’s shoulder. She wasn’t comfortable having her back to the door, but there was nothing she could do about it without looking suspicious. She heard the discussion as the backup agents prepared to enter the house. She was relieved to think that this was almost over and she would soon be able to concentrate on building a life with Raelin.

  Pulling out the mentioned legal document that had been finalized earlier that morning from her briefcase, the Director took her time putting on her glasses and began reading. “I, Arthur Aodhan Kingsley, being of sound mind and body, do hereby make this my final will and testament,” she paused here and looked at mother and son. “He had a full mental work up and had been deemed legally sane at the time of drawing this up. It does go on to state that if anyone tries to break the will, that the party trying to break will lose everything. Shall I continue?”

  “You may, I would never disrespect my husband’s last wishes,” Regina said tightly. She was confident in the knowledge that Arthur would leave something to at least her son. She wasn’t stupid enough to think that she would get everything, but Arthur had been a good father, and at least if AJ had gotten everything she’d be just as well off. Her son had been raised to take care of his mother.

  “Thank you, Mr. Kingsley left ten thousand dollars to some local charities, but left specific instructions for the bulk of his estate, and I was told to read this word for word,” she paused for a moment, allowing the tension to rise in the room.

  Regina sat anxiously behind her desk, waiting for the results of the will. AJ leaned forward in his own chair, licking his lips.

  Clearing her throat, Jacobs continued. “To my son Arthur Junior, I leave with the knowledge that I was allowed not to assist in your upbringing, so I accept all responsibility that you have turned out to be a total mother’s boy and worthless. You have lived off me and not earned an honest day’s pay in your entire life. You have spent your inheritance when you lost money on gambling, and I have heard that you have further debased my family’s name.”

  “He can’t do that...he promised me the land on the west side of town. He told me once that it would be mine,” AJ stood up and shouted.

  “Arthur, you’ve brought this on yourself with your bad decisions. Now you will respect his wishes and listen to the rest of this with dignity. Now sit down,” Regina said tightly, trying to cover her own anger. “Excuse my son’s poor behavior. Please continue Ms. Jacobs.”

  Del had a hard time keeping from grinning at AJ’s expense.

  “To my wife, Regina Kingsley, I leave absolutely nothing. You controlled my life for so many years, taking my money, my freedom, and finally my love. I leave my house, the deeds to all my properties, and the contents of my bank deposit box to my daughter, Raelin Montrose, to do as she sees fit.” Jacobs put down the document and looked over at Regina. “That is all.”

  Del’s eyes went wide, but she managed to hold back her surprise long enough to watch Regina sputter.

  “What? That’s all? He leaves everything to Raelin Montrose? I can’t believe that!” Regina sputtered.

  “Well, perhaps my good news will soften the blow. We managed to find Jenny LeBlanc,” Del said, grinning when Regina froze and looked at her.

  “Well, that’s good. Where had she run off to?” Regina asked tightly.

  “Your granddaughter stumbled upon your slave trafficking and was taken hostage by your men. You of course, knew of this, but didn’t want to look guilty, so you hired Ms. Delacroix to try and find her, thinking that Jenny would be shipped out and out of the way and Ms. Delacroix would fail.” Jacobs stood up, and handed her copies of their evidence. “We have sworn statements from all parties involved, as you can see.”

  Raelin had slipped inside of the house with Kasey and had been waiting for the signal to be given to the young Fed for them to go into the room. She couldn’t hear anything that was being said, but could feel the tension and anger rising fast.

  Kasey had insisted that Raelin stay behind her while in the house, so the witch didn’t feel bad about breaking her promise not to go in. The Fed had also insisted that Jenny wait for them outside. Raelin could protect herself, but it was Kasey’s job to protect Jenny.

  Regina shot to her feet, staring at both women in front of her. “This is absurd. You can’t honestly believe the word of criminals. I’ve been set up. I’ve worked my ass off in this town; I’ve been a pillar of this community. You will not accuse me of something so ridiculous in my own home.”

  “Hate to say it Regina, but you can’t weasel your way out of this one. I have your bank account statements along with all of the other pieces of the paper trails you stupidly left behind. Also, we’ll be going through this house with a fine toothcomb. I’ll be looking forward to finding the murder weapon that killed Quinlan Montrose,” Del said smugly.

  “You stupid bitch. You think you’ve won, huh? Let me tell you, you haven’t seen the half of this. If I’m going to go down, so help me God I’m going to take some of you with me!” Regina yelled, reaching in her desk.

  Del barely had time to register the gun Regina had produced before she felt a body flying against her just before a shot rang out. Del hit the floor, the force of the weight on top of her knocking the wind out of her, and seconds later, she heard a second shot sound. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Regina fall to the floor, as Kasey approached, her gun still smoking as other agents poured into the room.

  “Get the EMTs in here now!” Kasey shouted. “We have a civilian down. Get a move on.”

  The word civilian ran through Del’s mind and at first, she thought about Regina, but the weight on top of her felt too familiar and she looked down and saw familiar dark waves sprawled across her chest. “Raelin?” She shook the unmoving woman on top of her and realized she was the civilian Kasey had been talking about. She rolled Raelin to her back, her face paling when she saw the blood pooling around them. She immediately put pressure on the wound she could see under Raelin’s right breast. “No, this isn’t happening. Who let her in here? She was supposed to be kept outside. Raelin, stay with me Darlin’. Open those beautiful eyes for me.”

  “Del...I’m sorry,” Raelin whispered, her eyes trying to open.

  “Shh baby, don’t talk. The EMTs are on the way okay. You just stay with me. It’s going to be all right; I’m going to stay right beside you the whole way. I love you, don’t leave me,” she leaned down and pressed her lips against Raelin’s forehead as her hands kept pressure on the wound. She felt hands trying to pull her away and fought them until she realized it was the medics. She kept one of Raelin’s hands in her own while the EMTs worked on her love, her heart breaking.

  “Okay, she’s as stable as we are going to get her in here. We need to move her to the bus and get her to Canal City hospital,” one of the EMTs said, prepping Raelin for transport. “You need to let go ma’am, we need to get her out of here.”

  Del fought as she was pulled away from Raelin. “No, I have to stay with her. I promised her I wouldn’t leave her side.”

  “I’m sorry, we can’t have anyone getting in the way,” the older medic said, wheeling Raelin out on the stretcher.

  Kasey tugged on Del’s arm
as both women followed the stretcher from the house. “Get in. I’ll drive. We can meet them at the hospital.” Looking around, she shouted for Jenn to get into the SUV. “Raelin’s been shot. Hurry.”

  The younger woman took off at a dead run and was in the back seat within seconds. The SUV burned rubber out of the drive, following the ambulance.

  Del was trembling as they drove, still covered in Raelin’s blood. Her eyes were open, but she wasn’t really seeing much except the flashing lights of the ambulance in front of them and the light on the dash. She heard Jenny mention that another SUV was following them, but her brain was too stuck on the sight of Raelin lying beside her bleeding to process anything.

  Kasey kept on the tail of the ambulance the whole drive, evidently the Director had called ahead because traffic had been stopped in certain areas allowing them to get there in record time. She quickly parked the SUV in a spot closest to the Emergency Room and had to run to catch up to Delaney, who had jumped from the vehicle before it had come to a full stop with Jenny running right beside her.

  Delaney ran into the emergency room following the paramedics who had handed her witch to the doctors. She followed closely, but was stopped when she tried to follow them through a set of double doors. “Sorry ma’am, you can’t go in there.”

  Del was starting to get frustrated. “What do you mean? I have to stay with her!”

  The older nurse just looked at her unimpressed. “You and everyone else who has a loved one come through here. Like the rest of them, you can wait in the waiting room.”

  Kasey came up and showed the nurse her badge. “If you wouldn’t mind making an exception just this once, your government would greatly appreciate it.”

  The nurse rolled her eyes, but stepped to the side. “There’s a private waiting room around the corner. I’ll make sure the doctors update you.”