Lethal Legacy

by Amanda McKinney

  Wilson shook his head. “The rumors are true. That company is dirty as shit. And, it appears it all started with Charles Henry.”

  A knot formed in Danny’s stomach. He was about to take an entire company down.

  He cocked his head. “Wait a second, how the hell did you get this information? The Chief had to pull strings to get me the file on Charles Henry…where did you dig it up from?”

  Wilson smirked. “McAndrew is a computer genius, like you said.”

  Danny picked up the phone. “McAndrew, get in here.”

  Minutes later, John McAndrew stepped into the room, obviously annoyed to be pulled away from his work. “What can I do for you, Lieutenant?”

  Danny tossed him the black and white picture of Carlos. McAndrew caught it in midair, and smirked. “Ahhh, I see what this is about.”

  “Close the door.” Danny waited until he did so. “I’ll ask you the same thing I asked Wilson. Where the hell did you get this information?”

  Always cocky, McAndrew laughed. “Childs play, Lieutenant.”

  Danny narrowed his eyes. “Who did you hack to get this information?”

  “The DEA mostly. Most files are locked but I got into a few.”

  Impressed, Danny raised his eyebrows.

  McAndrew continued, “The DEA was watching them for a while, but never made any arrests.”

  Danny shook his head. “They were a small group. DEA’s got much bigger fish to fry.”

  McAndrew nodded. “They let the case drop before learning about the jewel heists and chem trading. I had to link several files together to put together that information. But, bottom line, like you said, they were small so they fell off the radar, even when they shouldn’t have.”

  In deep thought, Danny leaned back. If he started digging too deep into files from the past, the FBI or DEA might step in, and then the case would be pulled from him. He didn’t want that. He was too involved now.

  “Any link to John Mortin?”

  “Not that I could find, other than the fact that Charles Henry had been in communication with him frequently before his death.”

  “Can you get me the names that were in the group?”

  McAndrew sighed, “Maybe. It will take a while.”

  Wilson leaned forward. “So, is it possible William has picked up where Charles left off? Thirty years later?”

  The room sat silent for a moment.

  Danny stood and pulled the black and white picture of Victoria’s husband with the blonde out of his folder and handed it to Wilson. “We also need to find out who this is.”

  Both McAndrew and Wilson gazed at the image. “Yes, sir.”

  “I believe Victoria thinks they were having an affair, and maybe she’s somehow involved. Lastly,” He pulled out an evidence bag with the knife Victoria used to stab Anthony. “Get this scanned immediately for DNA. It belongs to a man that goes by Anthony Ramos, but I’d bet my salary that’s not his real name.”

  “Will do.”

  Danny nodded. “Thanks, guys.”

  After they left his office, Danny gazed out the window and debated informing the Chief on this new intel.

  There was a hell of a lot more to this case than anyone had originally anticipated. He’d been waiting for a case like this. Real danger and the feeling he missed the most—adrenaline. This would no doubt make him a shoe-in for the Chief’s position. But, he was stepping out of his jurisdiction and he knew it.

  He grabbed his jacket. For the time being, he’d keep this new information close.

  Chapter 17

  William pulled back the curtain and peered out the dirty window. The early morning sun glared through the thin slit. His bloodshot eyes watered as he scanned the parking lot.

  He’d become paranoid. And he hated that feeling.

  He wiped his clammy hands on his pants as sweat began to bead on his forehead. He had to get the hell out of here. That was the plan, after all.

  He’d been in hiding since the fire, but now that the word was out that he was indeed alive, he’d become extremely cautious. He hadn’t planned on that part.

  After his old buddy and work colleague, John Mortin, came to him with interesting information weeks ago, he knew it was just a matter of time until King Chemicals unraveled. So, as any smart businessman would do, he began making plans, immediately. This was his chance. His chance to finally get out of the prison he’d created for himself. To start over and make a new life.

  Staging the fire in his house was the start, even though his shady business partner, Juan Martinez, was an unfortunate causality. But, that was of no concern to him. It was the start. The start of throwing the old William King away, and creating a new one, out from under his dead dad’s thumb and his stupid company that was soon to go down in flames as well. Truth be told, he’d love every second of watching everything his father worked for shrivel up and die. He just didn’t want to be caught in the crosshairs.

  Having John Mortin run off the road was insurance William would have plenty of time to get the key John had told him about and leave the country before the shit hit the fan.

  He shook his head and rubbed his week old beard. He knew he looked like crap.

  He glanced at the clock just as a knock sounded on the door.

  Finally. He walked across the room and opened the door.

  “You’re late.” He stepped aside, motioning Anthony inside. “What the hell is the matter with you?”

  “I got stabbed, by your bitch wife.”

  William took a step back, in shock. “What the fuck do you mean?”

  “Exactly what I said.”

  “Did you get the key?”

  “No. This isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. She’s a fighter, that wife of yours. What the hell does the key unlock, anyways? Better be a hell of a lot of money or something.”

  “I’m not paying you to know details. You were supposed to get the damn key.” A surge of rage flooded William’s veins. His hand curled around the pistol hanging from his belt. From the shadows across the room, William’s bodyguard, Alek, stepped forward.

  William released his grip and narrowed his eyes. “I paid you to get a job done, do you remember?”

  Anthony nodded.

  “In case you need reminding, that job was to find out where the hell my wife is hiding the key, and get it from her, by any means necessary.”

  Anthony shifted his weight, glancing at Alek in the back of the room. His fear was palpable as his voice cracked. “Give me a few more hours, okay? I can do it, I’ll get that damn key.”

  The room stood silent.

  Finally, William said, “You have until tomorrow.” He glanced back at Alek. “Or, you don’t get the rest of your money and we kill you and your family, as promised.”

  Anthony nodded and all but ran out of the apartment.

  As Alek stepped back into the shadows, William shook his head and muttered. “That son of a bitch is going to leave town.” He plopped down on the couch when he heard steps behind him.

  “Here you go, baby.”

  He turned and reached for the glass of tequila with a splash of orange juice, and took a sip.

  “You okay?”

  Stupid, idiot bitch. Of course he wasn’t okay. He’d been locked in this damn one-bedroom apartment since the day the house burned down. Her apartment. And Lisa was starting to suffocate him. It had only been about six months since they started their affair. It was fun at first, but now it was like a heavy weight on his shoulders.

  Lisa was a bartender at a local pub. He’d met her one night when he dipped in for a drink after work. She’d recognized him immediately and fell all over herself serving him. No doubt, she was eager to please the rich CEO of King Chemicals. And, he liked it. She treated him like the King he was from the moment he stepped into that bar.

  Perhaps his favorite thing about her was that she was the total opposite of Victoria. Platinum blonde, extremely social and always smiling and giggling. She didn’t judge him
or look down her nose at him. In fact, she worshiped the ground he walked on. Lisa was only twenty-two years old, and dumb as a box of rocks, which was his second favorite thing about her. But, most importantly, she knew how to keep her mouth shut. Mistake or not, he confided in her about his transgressions. She seemed to get off on the danger of it all, and well, whatever could help get her off.

  He was in deep now, and as much as he hated to admit it, he needed her help and needed her to keep her little mouth shut.

  “I’ve got to get to work, dear.”

  “Yes, you do.” He downed his drink. She’d been keeping him up to date on the town talk. And there’s no better place to hear gossip than at a bar. First he was dead, now he’s alive. The gossip was rampant.

  “Will you be here when I get home?”

  “I intend to be.” But honestly, he had no idea.

  She sat down and stroked his head. “Don’t worry my love, soon, we’ll escape to someplace warm and sunny.” She trailed her finger down his arm. “And I’ll make you the happiest man in the world.”

  He stared at the wall for a moment, then forced himself to look at her and smile. “That sounds good, my love. Let’s get this behind us.”

  When she left for work, he stripped down and stepped into a scalding hot shower. His thoughts trailed to his wife, as they usually did when he was indisposed. She might be an ice queen, but she was sexy as shit.

  He began thinking about the key. Why the hell hadn’t she ever told him about it? Where the hell was it? Why the fuck had she kept it a secret from him all these years?

  She always loved her dad, maybe she was protecting him.

  Bitch.

  She probably didn’t even shed a single tear when she thought he was dead. Hell, she probably rejoiced thinking about all the money she’d get. He smirked. Now, all she’ll get is emptied bank accounts and he’d be living on some island somewhere, drinking mai-tai’s all day. No more working, no more day to day bullshit. No more standing in his perfect father’s shadow. He’d be rid of that company. It would be just him and the beach. That’s all he needed.

  As a little boy, he always wanted to run away. He grew up in a wealthy family, with a charitable father whom everyone loved. William was their only child, only son. He was supposed to be an all-star athlete, valedictorian and then happily take over his daddy’s precious company. Well, he wasn’t any of those things, and he was forced into taking over the damn company. Things never seemed to come easily for William. In fact, due to his dyslexia, he’d needed extra help throughout school. He failed several classes and almost had to stay back a grade. His daddy helped him through that debacle, of course. He was a joke on the football field, the soccer field, the baseball field, hell, he couldn’t even play ping pong. Although his dad supported him, he could always see the disappointment in his eyes. William was everything dear old daddy didn’t want in a child.

  He specifically remembered a time on the baseball field. He was twelve years old. It was his turn to bat and as soon as he walked up to the plate, everyone in the outfield scooted in, even they didn’t expect much from William. Feeling positive that day, he said to himself, This is it! I can do this! He wanted nothing more than to make his dad proud.

  The first pitch. Swing! Miss.

  William took a deep breath and glanced over at his dad, who was standing and cheering him on.

  Second pitch. Swing! Miss.

  His dad yelled, “Wait for the right one, son!”

  Third pitch. He was too excited. Swing! Miss. And this time the bat flew out of his hands, hitting the umpire in the head. Humiliated, he turned to look at his dad, who was shaking his head, eyes closed, in utter disappointment.

  William gave up after that. He quit trying, quit trying to make his dad happy. He spent the next few years just scooting by, under the radar, wishing he had any life other than his own. Until he went to college. The day he left home, he decided he was going to become his own man. A man that didn’t take no for an answer. A man who always got what he wanted. Over the next few years, he completely changed. He realized what power money had. He used his father’s wealth and reputation to get respect and admiration from anyone and everyone. All he had to do was flash his black card and the girls swooned, and the boys wanted to be him. A lust for greed and power grew inside him. He paid off several teachers to give him A’s in their classes. It didn’t take long before he started dabbling in drugs. He’d host lavish parties with drugs, booze and women. His junior year, he became president of his fraternity. He had more friends than he could count, more women that he knew what to do with, and a respectable grade average. Although his dad patted him on the back for his success in college, William always suspected he knew the truth. But, who cares? He was getting what he wanted, and learning how to get more of it every day. He became his own man. One hell of a man, in his opinion. Money was all he really needed.

  And then he met Victoria. Beautiful, alluring, mysterious, Victoria. His father introduced them, as he had an old connection with her father, who used to work for him. William was stunned by her beauty. He was determined to woo her and did everything in his power to do so. He turned on every bit of charm he had in him. To his surprise, she turned him down several times for a first date. To his greater surprise, she turned down his proposal of marriage not once, not twice but three times.

  He got her in the end, though, and that’s what really mattered.

  And look at him now.

  William turned off the water and allowed himself to drip dry. His skin tingled from the hot water. He slipped on a pair of boxers, sat down on the couch and devised his next step in his plan.

  * * * *

  Victoria rolled over and opened her eyes. The sun shone through the shutters, casting lines of bright gold across the bed. The birds chirped outside her window and she listened to the sound of the lake lapping against the dock.

  Her gaze drifted to the gun on her nightstand. She’d only slept for a few hours, on and off. Her mind wandered between memories of her father, and wondering where the hell her husband was. Did he even know she was here?

  She was still numb to the news that her father was a criminal. Memories flooded her head of the night he was murdered. She remembered every detail. As she tossed and turned, she couldn’t help but wonder if this new information would lead her to her father’s murderers. But it had been so long ago.

  And, she also found herself thinking of Danny…in ways that embarrassed her now in the morning light.

  She thought about how much she had despised him when they first met. But then, how drawn and attracted to him she’d become. She fantasied about kissing him, about him wrapping her up in his muscular arms. And then she fantasied some more. She’d finally fallen asleep, thinking of him, around three in the morning.

  Throwing off the covers, she sat up. Although desperately tired and physically exhausted, she pushed herself off the bed and went into the bathroom. Her reflection stopped her dead in her tracks. Her cheek was less swollen but her eye was bruised and bloodshot.

  She took a deep breath and splashed ice cold water on her face. She needed to clear her head. She needed a run.

  She pulled on her running gear and headed to the kitchen. Setting the coffee to start in thirty minutes, she rolled her neck and shoulders and stretched her sore legs.

  The fall air was cold and burned in her lungs as she set out. The smell of wet, fallen leaves filled her nose. She jogged down the steep driveway and hit the narrow gravel road. Thick woods lined both sides of the road. The early morning light seeped through the colorful trees, casting shadows along the narrow dirt road.

  She ignored the pain in her ribs and her heavy legs. About a mile in, her head began to clear. Endorphins flooded her veins. She started feeling good, strong.

  About three miles in, she became pissed. Pissed the hell off. She wasn’t going to take this shit. As she pushed into a sprint, the endorphins were replaced with adrenaline. She’d been through enough in her life
. She’d closed herself off from friends, family, and lovers most of her life. She was done. She was done being scared. Her father was gone, and there was nothing she could do to change that. But she could control her own life. She could change her life.

  Her lungs began to burn as she sprinted up a hill. Damn, William. Damn him. Damn him for leading her to believe he was something other than a jealous, insecure rat. Damn Anthony. Damn him for lying and misleading her. Damn him for bruising her and causing her fear.

  Revenge. They both deserved it. Her heart began to pound harder as her fear turned into determination.

  This was it. This was going to be the last tragedy in her life. She was going to make damn sure of that.

  Chapter 18

  “Dabrowski here.”

  “Danny boy!”

  Danny slipped off his computer glasses, threw them on his desk and leaned back in his chair with the phone in his hand. “Tisevich. How the hell are ya?”

  “Good. It’s always good in California. How’s Texas?”

  “It’s Texas.”

  “That’s about what I thought. I hear you’re doing pretty good on the force.”

  “I’d like to think so. Just doing my job.”

  “If you’re half as good as when you were on the Teams, they’re lucky to have you. Listen, Monroe told me you might be interested in the training role I’ve got. What do you think?”

  Danny glanced down at the papers spread across his desk. He hadn’t slept a wink, and instead of fighting it, went for a run at four am, showered and came into the office. For the last two hours he’d been scouring through the information McAndrew had pulled on Charlies Henry and the Carlos Chavez Organization. The sun was just now coming up.

  He hesitated for a moment. “Yeah, I’m interested.”

  “Great. Well, can you tear yourself away from work for a few days? Come down here for interviews and we’ll get you acclimated to the role.”