by Robin Mahle
“What is it?” Dwight asked.
“Stroud’s dead. Died about twenty minutes ago.”
“Oh, God.”
TWENTY-FIVE
A chill fell upon Kate’s shoulders as this new reality took hold. Stroud was dead and she could have wished for nothing better than for that man to die. But what it would do to the Talbots would be devastating.
“I need to go back to the station and talk to Jake.” Nick’s face turned pale as he spoke.
“Not yet. Let the man hold on to some hope for a while longer,” Dwight replied. “This can wait until morning.”
“He’s right, Nick. You’re in no state to see him and he deserves a few hours of respite.”
“Respite from what, Kate?” He looked up toward the ceiling. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s best to destroy his world after he’s had a chance to think about what he’s done for a while longer.”
“That’s not what I mean. I just think you need some time to process this. We all do. Gain some perspective and figure out a way to help him. Detective Mason was right about one thing, getting a conviction from a jury on something like this? It’ll be damn near impossible.”
“Why don’t I come over and hang out with you?” Dwight said. “You don’t need to be alone right now.”
A brief nod from Nick and it was settled. The three headed toward the elevator and Kate looked back.
“You coming, Vasquez?”
“Right behind you.”
The parking garage was near empty, lights above sporadically shining on the oil-stained concrete below. Their footsteps echoed as they continued along the third level where their staff was assigned to park.
Kate’s old Nissan was parked three spaces down from Nick’s giant Lexus SUV and Dwight parked his Infinity next to her. Vasquez drove a mid-size Honda sedan and it quickly became obvious the hierarchy of the team.
“You’ll keep an eye on him?” Kate asked.
“I will.” Dwight turned his attention to Nick, who’d approached his car. “He’ll be better after some rest.”
“Okay. Call me if you need anything.” Kate pressed the keyless entry remote and the lights on her car flashed, and a faint beep sounded. “I’ll see you guys later.” She slid inside and started the engine.
» » »
Kate arrived home and the sun was already low in the sky. The day was almost over and her eyes were heavy. She noted a few missed calls and texts from Mike. He was obviously concerned about her safety and she opted to text him back. But she was much too tired to speak to him.
I’m home and safe. Exhausted. Talk tomorrow. She pressed the send button and headed straight for her bedroom. She secured her weapon and shed the clothes she’d been wearing for the past three days, opting for a t-shirt, and crawled under her covers at six o’clock in the evening.
With eyes closed, her mind repeated the events of the day. So much had happened so quickly and it was hard to believe it was finally over. The hardest part was always remembering the ones they couldn’t save. Colton Talbot, Emily Aldrich, and even Stroud’s grandmother and sister. It was understandable why Nick had begun to feel defeated, like he simply had nothing left to give. His exponential decline in recent months was probably due to the many personal blows he’d suffered and it would be up to her and Dwight to help him through this because Kate simply couldn’t imagine doing this job without Nick by her side. He’d groomed her. He’d supported her and she needed him.
The question still hung in the air, though. Would it completely alter their relationship or would he really be able to move beyond it as he said? She believed he was merely longing for a relationship to succeed. Nick had never been married, or even engaged. And Georgia seemed to have been the closest person to putting all of that within his reach. She betrayed him and now he was looking for a substitute. Yes, that made sense. Kate was the only other woman in his life and so he projected his feelings onto her.
This was what she needed to convince herself of because anything else would mean she would have to hurt him. And, she had Mike—a man for whom she cared greatly.
It was too much to think of right now. She inhaled a deep breath and released it to bring calm to her wandering thoughts.
» » »
“This is a sofa bed, if you’re okay with that.” Nick began to toss away the cushions and move the coffee table and grabbed hold of the bed frame, yanking it out. “It’s not much, but I don’t often get house-guests, unless it’s the female kind, and they end up in my bed anyway.” Nick smiled half-heartedly at his poor attempt at humor.
“Well, I’m glad to see your wit hasn’t abandoned you.” Dwight approached him. “Let me give you a hand. And yeah, this is fine.”
They’d spent the evening on the boat, but used the time to decompress and watch whatever weekend sport was on the television. It was something they both needed, but the time had come to address the real problem, at least, as far as Dwight was concerned.
“I’ll put some fresh towels in the bathroom. I think we both could use a shower in the morning.” Nick headed down the hallway and opened the linen closet door, retrieving a fluffy towel that the maid had placed inside. He walked into the hall bathroom and set it on the edge of the counter, next to the sink. He caught sight of his appearance, something that seemed to have escaped him for the past forty-eight hours. They were right to be worried about him. He did look like hell. Scruffy, blackened circles under his eyes.
The future was uncertain now. He’d planned out so many things and each time, they seemed to fall apart. A dear friend was about to face prosecution for a murder that anyone else in his shoes would have committed. A woman whom he had the utmost respect for now likely questioned his motives and, by default, their friendship. There was no question in his mind that all of this was of his own doing. Even Jake. He should’ve been prepared. He should’ve known the man would be unstable. Who wouldn’t be?
“Nick, you okay in there?” Dwight’s voice carried down the hall.
“Fine.” He made his way back to the living room. “Okay. Is there anything you need? Water or food or a drink?” He raised his hand. “I’m kidding about the drink, don’t worry.”
“I’ve been wanting to ask you something,” Dwight began. “You want to sit outside for a minute? I guess I wouldn’t mind some water before signing off.”
“Sure. Go on out. I’ll get the water.”
A moment later, Nick stepped through the opened sliding glass door to find Dwight with his feet up on the lounger and arms folded across his thick but solid stomach.
“Here you go.” Nick handed him the water and sat down on the lounger next to him. “What’s on your mind?” He opened up his own bottle and downed half of it in one go.
“The other night—when you were…”
“Drunk?”
“Yeah… Did something happen between you and Kate? When I got back to the room with your coffee, she looked like a deer in headlights. Did you two have words or something?”
Nick turned his sights to the bay and watched his boat bobbing in the water. “No, nothing like that.”
“Then what? Nick, come on. It’s me. What’s going on with you two?”
“I just felt bad for dragging you guys down with me and I apologized to her, that’s all. I might’ve gotten a little emotional about it, but it was just the booze talking. I don’t think she’d ever seen me that upset before.”
Dwight continued to examine him for signs of untruths. Finally, after what felt like a much too long silence, he started, “Well, we’re both worried about you, and now with what’s going to happen to Jake, we’re concerned about you turning to something that won’t do you or anyone else any good.”
“I know that, man, and I appreciate it. I do. I’m just going through some shit right now. A come to Jesus situation, if you will.”
“Okay. If you’re sure that’s all it is. I mean, it’s a big deal, I know, but I just need to be sure our team is going to stick together. Wit
h Kate coming off probation soon and this thing she’s got going on with Burgess, well, I guess it seems like it wouldn’t take much for us to implode, you know? And I’d hate for that to happen. I’ve come to think of you two as family.”
Nick smiled. “Thanks, man. Same here. I just need to get my head out of my ass and straighten out. I will, though, I promise.” He turned again to the bay one last time. “We’d better get some sleep.”
» » »
Kate appeared from around the corner, towel drying her hair and wearing a long t-shirt. She still hadn’t gotten used to the blonde and would make it a priority to get to her stylist soon to return to her natural brunette unless she was looking to put a shock into Mike when he came up next weekend.
The time was coming up on 5:30 and she would need to leave soon to make it to WFO by 6:30. It was Sunday, but they wouldn’t be taking a day off, not after capturing Stroud. A quick check of the news, she switched on the TV. Her jaw dropped as she read the headline beneath the picture of Lyle Stroud. “Child killer dead.”
“Oh shit. Oh shit. How the hell?” She knew how reporters worked and how they wouldn’t stop until they got their story. And so they did. Broadcasting all over the state and Rachel Talbot was probably watching. “Damn it!” Kate picked up her cell. “Nick, it’s me. Did you see the news?”
“Yes. I’m heading out the door now. I’m going straight to Jake’s house. Dwight’s going into the office.”
“I can meet you over there.” She waited for a reply, but none came. “Nick, let me go there with you, okay? You’re going to need backup. You’re too close to this and perspective is what Rachel needs right now.”
He seemed to consider her proposal. “Fine. I’ll text you the address. See you in a few.”
Kate tossed her phone to the couch and returned to the bathroom to quickly dry her hair and get the hell over to Rachel Talbot’s. This news was supposed to come via Nick or Detective Mason, not the God damn press. She was going to be devastated.
Minutes later, Kate locked up and hopped in her car, speeding out of the driveway and heading to the address Nick sent her. Her phone rang and the caller ID showed that it was Mike.
“Hey, hon.”
“It’s not too early, is it? I really wanted to hear your voice and make sure you were hanging in there.”
“I’m already out the door, actually, but, I’m fine. Really. I’m heading over to Rachel Talbot’s place. The media released the news of Stroud’s death and she’s probably beside herself right now. Nick and I are meeting over there to help her through this.”
“Oh jeez. I’m sorry to hear that. When it rains it pours, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. How about I call you when I’m heading back to the office? You going in today?”
“Just for a while. Call me on my cell when you can. Bye, Kate.”
“Bye.” Kate continued along the highway and was maybe twenty minutes from the Talbot home. She hoped Nick wouldn’t beat her there, but that was unlikely. He’d left before she did.
On her arrival, she spotted Nick’s SUV in the Talbot driveway. She parked along the front of the house and quickly made her way to the door. She raised her hand to knock but heard elevated voices inside. Well, one raised voice and it was undeniably that of Rachel Talbot. She knocked loudly and waited.
Seconds later, the door opened to reveal Rachel’s swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
“Mrs. Talbot? I’m Agent Reid. I work with Nick Scarborough. Is he inside?”
Rachel moved away, holding the door open for Kate but not saying a word.
Kate entered the home and peered around the corner to the right and there he was, looking as though he’d been punished by the head mistress at a boarding school for boys. “Agent Scarborough?”
He acknowledged her arrival.
Kate entered the room, waiting for Rachel’s return. “Mrs. Talbot, I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now…”
“No, you can’t, Agent Reid, so any words you have to offer will fall on deaf ears, I assure you. And Nick over there, he promised to keep me informed as to what was going on with that monster and he couldn’t even do that much. So forgive me if I don’t have much faith in you or the FBI right now.”
“Mrs. Talbot, this news was not to be released until later today at the assurance of the District Attorney.”
“Well, that didn’t work out now, did it?”
“Reid, just stop.” Nick interjected. “Rachel has every right to be angry. We didn’t —I didn’t do my job. Stroud should have never made it out of that boy’s house alive. Rachel’s just calling me out for my mistake.”
“Mrs. Talbot, we are confident the DA will not charge Jake with murder. And even if he did, no judge or jury would convict him. That’s what we’ve been discussing.” Kate turned briefly to Nick. “We will do everything in our power to get Jake back home to you and your son.”
“And what about my dead son? What about Colton? They won’t even release his body to me so I can put him to rest.”
“We’ll work on that too; I swear to you. This isn’t over. Agent Scarborough, Agent Jameson, and I will find resolution to this.”
Nick stood up and walked toward Rachel. He was inches from her, looking into her eyes and finally wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “Rachel, I’m so sorry this has happened. We’ll do all we can to minimize the damage this will do to Jake. You have to believe me. He’s my friend. You’re my friend.”
Rachel began to sob with her head buried against his chest. She raised her forearms and made fists and began to pound against him. Not to cause him pain, but to release hers.
“Do you have anyone who can stay with you today? At least until we can get Jake out on bond?” Kate asked. “For his sake, you should stay here with your son.”
Rachel pulled away and wiped her tears. “You think they’ll still let him out on bail?”
“That’s what we’re going to work toward.”
“My mother is here. She’s upstairs with Scott.”
“Good. We should get down to the station and make sure we’re there to hear Jake’s official charges. We’ll meet with him and his attorney to discuss what the options are.”
“I will call you when I know something, Rachel,” Nick replied. “But if we’re going to act, then it has to be now.”
“Okay.” She walked toward the front door. “Please, let me know as soon as you find out anything. I’m counting on you, Nick.”
Kate began to walk toward her car and Nick followed.
“We need to get him out of there, Kate. I have no idea what Mason’s planning on doing or the D.A. This isn’t our area of expertise.”
“I know, but we’ll figure out something. We can’t let Stroud harm this family any more than he already has.” She unlocked her car.
Nick jumped into his SUV and pressed the call button. “We’re going to head down to the station to see Detective Mason. You want to meet us there?” He was silent while it sounded as though Dwight was typing away, probably dealing with the mounds of paperwork that accompanied multiple jurisdictional cases.
“I’ll hang back. Between coordinating with Baltimore PD and gathering the statements, I’m going to be at this all day. You two go. Sort this thing out and get Jake Talbot back home where he belongs.”
TWENTY-SIX
Apparently, the reporters hadn’t taken the night off and were now in even greater numbers as they huddled outside of the station. The agents arrived via the rear entrance and made their way through the building to find Detective Mason waiting in the lobby along with the district attorney. She turned her attention to them as they approached.
“Good morning.”
An unusual expression on her face caught Kate’s eye. It was as though she already knew something and they weren’t going to like it.
“I don’t know how good it is,” Nick said. “I suppose that depends on how this discussion turns out.” He offered his hand to the D.A. “I’m Special A
gent Scarborough.”
“Agent Reid.” Kate greeted the middle-aged, tall and slender man with a firm handshake.
“Pleasure to meet you both. I’m District Attorney Robert Olmstead. Shall we get started?” He turned to the detective.
“Yes. Follow me.” Mason led the way to the conference room that had been used as the makeshift command center only a day ago. She closed the door. “Please, have a seat.”
“First of all, Agent Scarborough, the work you and your team did, including Detective Mason’s team, was above exemplary. You saved that boy’s life.”
“Thank you, Mr. Olmstead, but I’d like to just jump right in. A dear friend of mine is facing serious charges. Not to mention that he lost his youngest son at the hands of Lyle Stroud.”
“Of course.” Olmstead turned to Mason. “Has Mr. Talbot spoken with his attorney yet?”
“No. He’s due in at ten a.m., after our meeting here. I’m hoping to be able to offer him a deal and I believe the agents would like to ensure the same.”
“Our office is willing to work something out. None of us want to see this man who has already suffered so much serve out a murder sentence for taking the life of a wanted child serial killer.”
“Then what do you propose?” Scarborough asked.
“If acceptable to Mr. Talbot and his attorney, our plan is to offer him the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.”
“What kind of sentence are we looking at?” Kate asked.
“The circumstances here would merit leniency by a judge and jury. Sentences range from one to ten years, however, in this case, they would have the discretion to impose a sentence of less than one year. They might also impose the Class 5 felony fine of $2,500, but I highly doubt that.”
“So he could serve less than a year in prison?” Nick asked. “What about getting his records sealed so he wouldn’t have to worry about future employment?”
