by Tori Carson
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her coming down the hall and rushed to her.
He cradled her head against his heart, relieved that she was in one piece. Before he could ask any questions, he felt her body shudder and her tears wetted his shirt.
Once Teague found his voice, he set her back just far enough to scan her from head to toe. “Are you okay?”
Chief Donley forcibly pulled them apart before she could answer. “You?” he shouted in recognition. “Get your damn hands off my daughter.”
“Daughter?” Teague asked, looking from Channy to the old man. It took him a minute to realize that he knew the blowhard. The memory brought a flood of emotion. Son of a bitch! Donley. Chantel Donley. Fuck. He shook his head at the utter absurdity of it all. Chief Patrick Donley, the prick who’d stolen his life.
Chantel nodded as she asked unnecessarily, “You two know each other?”
“Yeah, we’ve met,” Teague replied with enough sarcasm that everyone within earshot knew his feelings on the matter.
“You’re in law enforcement?” she asked incredulously.
Both he and Donley answered at the same time and in similar tones, “No!”
“What the hell are you doing with my daughter?” the chief demanded.
Teague bit back the answer that first came to mind. He wouldn’t use Channy as his means of revenge. “Trying to get the hell away from her, but according to Seaver, it isn’t in the budget.”
Surprise flickered across Donley’s face. “Watch your mouth. My daughter isn’t used to that type of language. And have no fear, I’ll see to your immediate transfer personally. I hear purgatory is wonderful this time of year.”
Teague shook his head. Somehow, he didn’t think Donley meant Purgatory, Utah. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t have cared less where he went. Well, on the bright side, that was one problem solved. The old man would probably have him on a plane that very night. “Isn’t it amazing how your ‘budget’ problems are no longer an issue?”
“Hello? Remember me? Apparently, I’m the only one not in the loop. Would someone please fill me in?” Chantel asked with her hands on her hips and foot tapping out an impatient order.
“It’s not important.” Teague waved his hand as if it were of no consequence. “What happened? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, thank you very much, and it sure as hell is important.” She grabbed both men by their arms and pulled them into the back bedroom. She pushed her father toward the desk chair and Teague onto the daybed. “Now, spill it. And don’t give me any of the ‘need to know’ crap either. Because I will know before either one of you leaves this room.”
Teague met Donley’s gaze and both men chuckled. Channy was freaking amazing. He loved her fire.
“I think we’ve just been told off,” her father mused aloud.
“Good and proper!” Teague agreed.
“None of that! You two will not gang up on me and leave me wondering what the heck is going on.”
“Chantel… It’s a matter of security.”
“Give me a break, Dad. I am not a security risk and you know it.”
This time it was Donley who initiated the eye contact with Teague. “Reese has done some…contract work for the agency.”
“And?” she demanded.
“And it has nothing to do with you so drop it, young lady.”
Teague sat back and tried to get a handle on what was going on. Had he heard right? “So this has nothing to do with me?” he asked the chief.
“I doubt it,” the chief conceded grudgingly.
Relief on many different levels flooded his mind and soul. He hadn’t caused whatever this was and obviously she wasn’t a plant being used to determine his whereabouts. Donley knew where to find him. When he was sure that his voice wouldn’t shame him, he tried again. “Channy, tell me what happened.”
She looked back and forth between the two men. No doubt she was plotting something. “We’re not done with this. I want you to know that.”
When he nodded, she decided to answer his question. “Some pervert got in and went through my things.” A moment later her face turned crimson.
“What do you mean went through your things? Like searched your house? It doesn’t look like anyone tossed it. How can you be sure?” Teague asked tactfully, refraining from pointing out that she’d gone through his things just a few hours earlier.
“Stop,” Donley warned Chantel. “It is none of his damn business. How do you two know each other? I assume he’s the ‘friend’ you were out with.”
Chantel stared at Teague. He wasn’t sure if she was apologizing or warning him. “Yes, Dad. I was out with Reese when this happened. And no, he didn’t have anything to do with it. Now let it drop already.” She sounded exasperated.
“What’s the time frame here? When did you leave? When did you return?” Chief Donley was in full detective mode.
Teague looked toward Channy. His eyebrows rose slightly, wondering what story she was going to give.
“Dad. Let. It. Drop.”
“Reese, what time did you pick up my daughter?” He enunciated the word making it clear what he thought about them together.
“I have no idea. I wasn’t really watching the clock,” Teague replied smoothly. “What exactly was this pervert looking for?” he asked, to change the subject and because he damn well wanted to know.
“My underwear, among other things,” Chantel answered with distaste.
Immediately, they looked at each other and burst into laughter, remembering her granny panties. Chantel dropped her head and covered her face, probably trying to hide from her dad. Her laugh was just a hair on the hysterical side.
Teague went to her, uncaring that her father was glaring daggers at his back. It killed him to see her like this.
“Get your hands off her,” the chief ordered.
“Dad! Stop it. I’m not twelve years old anymore and you can just deal with it.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Donley went on. “Reese,” the chief pleaded, sounding utterly weary yet meeting Reese eye to eye, “tell her it is too dangerous.”
Teague dropped his forehead to hers. Emotions were a terrible burden. Why couldn’t he summon the energy to banish them? Anger was the only one he was any good at, but for reasons he couldn’t fathom, it eluded him too. The old man was just worried about his daughter. Teague could respect that. With gentle care, he set Channy away from him. “He’s right, darlin’. It’s too dangerous. What I’m involved in…you can’t be a part of. The target would love to hurt a pretty little lady like you.”
Tears were swimming in her eyes. “Fine. If it’s so dangerous then quit. Dad, pull him out because I intend to continue seeing him.”
“She’s a feisty one, isn’t she?” Teague asked her dad.
“You have no idea.”
“Channy, I wish to God it was that easy. But it’s not. Even if I quit today, they’d still come after me.” Teague looked Donley in the eye. “You’re certain this has nothing to do with me?”
Something in Donley’s expression softened. “I don’t believe so. It isn’t their M.O.”
“If you two continue to talk as if I’m not here, I’m going to shoot you both.”
“That’s not amusing, Chantel,” her father grumbled in reprimand.
“It wasn’t meant to be, Dad.”
Teague tried hard to keep his face serene, but it was damn difficult. He remembered how all the agents kowtowed to this man. His word was law. Apparently, his daughter hadn’t gotten that memo.
“Chief, you’re gonna want to see this,” Bell yelled from across the house.
Donley glared at both him and Channy, undoubtedly hoping that it might get his point across to Teague even if his daughter was oblivious.
As soon as the chief had left the room, Channy asked, “How long have you known my father?”
After a long sigh, Teague responded as truthfully as possible. “I don’t actually know him. We met a few times. Years ago.�
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She nodded. “Do you want out?” she asked quietly, holding her breath.
It took a long time for him to reply. What was there to say that made sense? “I wish I’d never gotten in.”
“That doesn’t tell me anything,” she answered perceptively.
“It doesn’t matter what I want, or whether I’m in or out. It is too dangerous for us to be together.”
“That’s a cop-out and you know it.”
“I’ve got a price on my head and quitting won’t take that away. No, it isn’t a cop-out, Channy. It is only a matter of time before they find me.”
* * * *
“Chief, if you look here,” Bell used a laser pointer to highlight the left ceiling corner, “and here,” pointing to the right, “you can make out the lenses. There are also vidcams in the bathroom, kitchen and living room areas and the fire sensors are suspect.”
“Son of a bitch,” escaped through clenched teeth. He ran a fearful, pissed-off hand over his face and through his hair. Who the fuck had targeted his daughter? Was it just some generic pervert or had they selected her because of him?
“Sir, there’s more.” Bell handed him an evidence bag.
Donley saw a note already sealed and tagged. He read it twice then again as sweat beaded on his forehead. His throat constricted. Involuntarily, he stooped as if his gut had been punched by unseen hands.
He took a moment then straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat. “Anything else?”
“No, sir.”
“My investigators will be taking over. I expect full cooperation from your team.” Though his mind was reeling from the knowledge that the Weasel had targeted his daughter, he still noticed the telltale stiffening of Bell’s shoulders and the tightening of his jaw. Donley slowly expelled his breath, reining in his temper. “You’ve done good work here, son. I appreciate your thoroughness. The cameras were nearly invisible. A lesser team would have missed them.”
* * * *
Teague noticed the subtle shift in power as Donley spoke quietly to Sid, and Bell conferred with his men. He was surprised that it had taken that long for Donley to take over the investigation.
“Ms. Donley, your father has asked me to take you back to his house. Are you ready to leave?” Sid, the chief’s assistant, told her.
Channy glared in the direction of her father. “Thank you, Sid, but that won’t be necessary.”
“Channy, you can’t stay here. It would be safer if you stayed with your dad until this has been sorted out.”
Teague wondered why he wasn’t a pile of ashes at her feet. Surely that look could set mere mortal men ablaze.
“Don’t start with me. I’m already ticked off at you.” She raised a hand to ward off further comment. “You’re being stubborn and annoying. You’re in a mess up to your eyebrows and trying to give me advice on safety. If that isn’t the pot calling the oven black…”
Teague tried to hide his grin. He knew it would only bring more trouble. His body was stirring to life. Her fire always did that to him, but now was not the time.
In the end, it took all three of them to get Channy to leave the house. Donley was clearly torn between needing to get his daughter to safety and wanting to oversee every detail of the investigation. Teague’s curiosity had peaked. There was a lot more to this than Channy was telling. He knew from experience he wouldn’t get any information from Donley, but he hoped that the locals wouldn’t be as tight-lipped.
Teague slipped away as Sid escorted Channy into the back of the chief’s car. It felt wrong to allow another man anywhere near Channy. What the fuck was wrong with him? How had that redheaded hellcat sunk her claws into him so deeply?
He couldn’t get distracted. His life was a waste, but Channy was too vibrant to live her life in the shadows. He would do the only thing possible. Remove this threat to her then slink back into the murk where he belonged.
Night had fallen, but Teague was still careful to keep the TV cameras at his back while he stood just within earshot of the locals. “Give the bastard everything we’ve got. The feds have been tracking him for over twenty years,” Bell barked at his officers.
He knew his time was short. Donley would return before long, so he had to make this quick. Luckily, no one knew he didn’t belong there.
“My point exactly. If they haven’t caught him in twenty years then it should be our turn,” Tyler Peterson, one of the younger officers, complained.
Teague knew from his eavesdropping that Tyler had found the cameras that other more seasoned officers had overlooked. He had to be anxious to stay on this case.
“Forget it. It’s the man’s daughter we’re talking about.” Bell looked at Tyler pointedly. “All Donley would have to do is make one phone call and the case would be ripped out from under us anyway. Even the FBI conceded jurisdiction on this one.”
“That’s bullshit. They never hand over a case,” the officer continued to argue.
“One of the victims was a known drug mule. To add insult to injury, the Weasel dumped the body on an NBIA agent’s lawn. That and Donley being ex FBI were enough to sway the powers that be.” Bell shrugged. “Frankly, I don’t want the case. Trying to keep Ms. Donley in protective custody would give me an ulcer in no time. Let someone else have the headache.”
“What the hell is NBIA anyway? I’ve only heard it mentioned in whispers,” Tyler grumbled.
Teague continued to listen. The agency wasn’t public knowledge. He wondered how much information was widely known.
“I butted heads with Donley a few years back. I still have the scars to prove it. They have friends in high places and asking questions is highly discouraged.”
The other officer muttered a few expletives and dropped the subject as Teague moved to the doorway of the bedroom. He’d heard the Weasel mentioned, but he couldn’t place the name. The scene before him made his stomach knot. Though the technicians had stopped in the middle of bagging evidence, enough of it remained to make him sick with worry.
“Check out the cameras, there and there.” One of the officers pointed toward the corners. “High-tech shit for such a sick bastard.”
“Wired or wireless?” Teague asked, as another wave of nausea swept through him.
“Until we get into the attic we won’t know. Boss said not to touch anything until your investigators get here.”
Teague just nodded. “What do you know about the Weasel?”
“Not much,” the officer conceded reluctantly. “Just that he’s raped and tortured girls all across the country. Made artwork out of cutting ’em up so even their mothers wouldn’t know ’em.”
Chapter Eight
“Son of a bitch!” he yelled, ripping the power cord from the wall. How in the hell did that local yokel spot the webcam?
Mr. Observant would pay for his indiscretion.
All around the cobbler’s bench,
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought ‘twas all in fun.
Pop! goes the weasel.
It was all part of the game, he reminded himself. The monkeys thought they could catch him. Silly monkeys. Weasel had his treasures buried. If they beat the encryption all they would discover is an offshore, US unfriendly server. To better his odds, the feed was again encrypted and fed through two more foreign and unfriendly servers. It was amazing how many countries hated the US government, but would do virtually anything for an American dollar.
He was, however, pissed off that his equipment would be seized. He’d had plans for those cameras once Chantel was acquired. Now he’d have to purchase more.
A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle—
That’s the way the money goes.
Pop! goes the weasel!
Mr. Observant would pay, not with money, but with something better. Blood. He went to another computer and pulled up his image archives. Slowly, frame by frame, he went through the images. Finding a full face shot, he immediately printed it,
thumb-tacked it just to the right of his monitor and began to hunt his prey.
* * * *
“Tell me about Reese…” Channy demanded as soon as the door was shut. She doubted that her dad would give anything up, but in this situation, offense was safer than defense. She wasn’t ashamed of her behavior. It just wasn’t something she intended to discuss with her father.
“You know I can’t,” he answered absently as he wandered into his den.
“That’s crap, Dad. I’m not going to turn him over to his enemies. Tell me what kind of mess he’s in. What are you holding over his head?”
“What are you talking about? I’m not holding anything over his head. We’re protecting him.” He sounded as agitated as she felt.
Chantel shook her head. “Dad, I’m not a moron. Seaver is an agent, one of yours if I remember correctly. The federal witness protection program is run by the US Marshals. If he was a protected witness he’d be under the Marshals’ jurisdiction, not yours.”
“There are exceptions,” he hedged, clearly uncomfortable with this line of discussion.
“Only if the case isn’t closed and you’re still actively using the witness.” The full extent of the danger to Reese dawned on her. He had to be working undercover. Damn.
“When did you become so knowledgeable about the inner workings of the agency?” he asked with annoyance.
“Oh please.” Her cutting tone was the only answer needed. She didn’t want to ask, but she had to know. “Did you cut him a deal?”
Her dad tapped a pen on his desk, looking very uneasy. “He’s involved in a hornet’s nest. Let it be. There can be nothing between you two.”
“Too late,” she whispered softly.
“I absolutely forbid you to ever see him again. Obey me in this or I’ll have him on an airplane out of here tonight.” He slammed his hand down.
She refused to act like the child he obviously saw every time he looked her way. Arguing would be pointless. She was an adult. Reese was an adult. The issue was between the two of them.
“What was Bell telling you? Clearly he believed I trashed my own house.” She chuckled sardonically.
