Ring of Fire

by Taylor Lee

  While Nate introduced the rest of the group, Erin watched Sarah with interest. Good God, was that what she’d looked like, once upon a past? So frightened, so pitiful? It was an uncomfortable reminder but in a way also confirming, underscoring the difference between her and Sarah. Sarah had lived with that awful man for more than twenty years. Granted she had children to protect, but somehow, she’d never found the courage to leave. Why not? How could someone live so long in such hideous circumstances and not fight back? Erin knew at that moment what Sam had been trying to tell her. Not everyone found the courage to leave. In truth she knew the statistics. Most abused women stayed in untenable situations, too afraid or too battered in spirit to leave.

  As if to confirm Erin’s insights, Sarah spoke for the first time. Rather than acknowledging Erin, she glanced at the table where Jeb was sitting with his men, a dark scowl on his face. Sarah nodded to Erin but her attention was riveted on the fierce-looking man across the room.

  “Um… uh… I’m pleased to meet you. You’re a lucky woman. Nate is the best man I know. Um… but I need to go.”

  Sarah cast a quick glance at Nate then loosened her grip on his arm. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. Erin hated the triumph in Jeb Jones’s gaze as his wife moved toward him. Erin and Nate always teased about the leash Nate said he had on her, but Erin shivered at that moment, seeing Jeb’s victorious grin. He didn’t have a playful leash on Sarah, it was a steel link chain and it may as well have been around her neck, its pull was so powerful.

  Erin leaned into Nate’s strength and thanked God that somehow she’d been strong enough to flee Dylan and that her angels had led her to the powerful man beside her. She knew at that moment she’d taken an epiphanal step. She didn’t know what direction it would take her but she knew that she would never turn back. Not until she’d helped to stamp out the fear in Sarah’s eyes and in the eyes of all of the women she knew who were like Sarah. Catching Sam’s gaze, she gave him a tentative smile. He returned her smile and nodded, confirming that he saw her conviction and that she had a partner in her new venture.

  They didn’t have time to celebrate. As if a table wide fire alarm went off every cell phone at their table buzzed simultaneously. Connor was already stomping across the floor, his brow pinched in a tight frown. Fastening on Nate, he barked, “Another fire. Pine Ridge, next to the reservation.”

  “Trailers?”

  “Yep, same M.O. May as well ride with us, Nate. Pete said there’s bodies this time. More than a couple.”

  Nate saw Cougar and his men rushing the exit. Cougar’s eyebrows met in a bushy black line. Deep crevices etched his forehead. Every quivering muscle in his massive body screamed anger. Nate looked across the room to see Jeb staring at him. Jeb’s lips were curved in a sly smile, his eyes gleaming icy blue. He lifted his bottle to Nate in an offhand salute.

  Nate’s gut clenched. He didn’t have to ask whose men were dead or who lit the fire. The uneasiness that had been surrounding him for days now burst into flames chewing up his spine. The first shot in the war he’d been predicting had been fired. The time for foreplay was over. A chill swept over him. He wondered how many bodies their modest Minnesota town would bury in the next days. He prayed that all the graves they dug were for the bad guys. But the fire ants crawling up the back of his neck signaled it was a vain hope. Good men and probably good women were as likely to get caught in the crossfire as the assholes who’d declared full scale war on each other.

  Nate thought he had a good sense of what was likely to happen. He hoped they could get them all. Jeb and his men; Cougar and his. And that they didn’t tear up the town in the process. Days later he would shake his head in wonder that he could have so grossly underestimated the rampant devastation that followed. Or how many people would die in the wreckage—and who they would be.

  If he had known he would have tied both Jeb and Cougar to a tree that night and put a bullet between their eyes. Whatever followed his point-blank double murder would have been worth it.

  Chapter 10

  Nate stood back from the burning mobile homes waiting for Connor’s men to contain the flames. Wasn’t much mystery as to what had happened. Three ugly-assed park model trailers had exploded. Only reason to celebrate was at least the First Responders got there on time to keep the fires from spreading to the reservation or taking down any more of the forest.

  “How many?”

  Pete Wilson, another of Connor’s lieutenants, came over to report.

  “From what we can tell, Nate, there’s at least three. Could be more. We haven’t been able to get into the second and third trailers. Best we can tell, the explosions were sequential. One blew then the one beside it and finally that big one on the right. Dominos.”

  “Was that an accident? Or you think they were meant to blow in sequence?”

  “We’ll be able to tell better when the investigators get through, but my best guess is that they were all doused with accelerant then the perpetrators either threw a couple of big-assed Molotov’s—or Nate, I’m thinking maybe a rocket launcher.”

  Nate couldn’t hide his surprise.

  “Damn, Pete. That’s an addition to the arsenal that can’t be overlooked. If they’re at that level, we’re entering a very different phase of this little skirmish.”

  Sam agreed.

  “That level of weaponry requires excellent contacts. And money. A lot of it.”

  Nate huffed out a ragged breath of air.

  “Unfortunately, Sam, we know who has both. Looks like Jeb’s fired the first volley.”

  Glancing over his shoulder he saw Cougar’s black RAM 3500 pull up to the site. At least six men tumbled out and strode to where Nate was stationed with his men.

  Nate added, “And it appears that the first volley was heard by the intended party.”

  He nodded to Cougar and held up a hand.

  “This is as far as you go, buddy. No one including me gets any closer until Pete gives us the okay.”

  “Goddammit Nate. You know fucking well that my men were in there. Tell me. Now. How many?”

  Nate shrugged. “We don’t know yet. Three, at least. But, then, you may have a better idea of the count than we do.”

  Cougar’s face was contorted with rage. Nate thought he also saw grief and even a modicum of fear on the big man’s face. Whatever the range of expressions, they soon settled into hard core fury.

  “Cougar, I’m sorry. I don’t know who they are or how many, but I am sorry. It’s a hell of a way to die.”

  When Cougar tried to shove past the tape that Pete’s squad had strung, Nate held up his hands.

  “No can do, Cougar. This is a crime scene. No matter who those men were, they are murder victims. We need every bit of evidence we can gather to determine what happened here. No civilians allowed.”

  “Goddamn you, Nate. You know fucking well what happened and who is responsible. You can hide behind that shiny badge and pretend that you need evidence but that is a goddamn lie. You could round him up right this minute if you had the balls to do it.”

  He glared at Nate.

  “But you don’t, do you, man? Admit it! You’re nothing but a cowardly pussy. You and all your fucking men. Just know that some of us have more than big enough cohones to take down the bastards who killed my men.”

  “Careful, Cougar. I’m confident I can come up with some reason to lock you up. Maybe for your own protection.”

  Cougar glowered and stuck his finger in Nate’s chest.

  “You must not have heard me at the pub, Nate. I done told you, you are never going to arrest me, you hear?”

  Nate shoved Cougar’s arm away and came face to face with him.

  “And I told you that it’s just a matter of time. I strongly recommend that you and your henchmen climb back up in that big bad truck and get the hell out of here. No one but me and my men will be working this site tonight. When we have the count and identities, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, git! N
ow.”

  The big man and his glowering posse backed up as Nate, Sam and Dan formed a phalanx in front of them.

  Nate growled at him. “What the hell did you expect, Cougar? You’re telling me this is a surprise? Goddamn it, you knew exactly what was going to happen.”

  Cougar nodded.

  “Yeah I did, Nate. I also know what’s going to happen next.”

  Nodding to his men he strode toward his Ram truck. He revved up the powerful engine and shot down to the road, tires screaming, dirt flying in his wake.

  Nate stood with Sam, taking several deep breaths. He needed his wits about him, needed to clear his senses. Of course, Cougar was correct. They all knew who had done it and they all knew what was going to happen next. Nate admitted to himself, he wasn’t sure what he would or could do to stop it.

  Looking to the edge of the clearing, he noticed for the first time that a small crowd had gathered. He recognized Black Eagle and several other leaders from the reservation. He headed over to talk with them. While he doubted that that they’d have concrete evidence about the perpetrators, at least they would know who the victims were likely to be. Nate had good relations with the tribal police and by extension the tribal elders. He called on the tribal police for backup on a regular basis. They charged him through the nose but it was worth it. They were first rate cops.

  As he approached he saw a face he hadn’t expected. Tucker Barnes was standing off to the side, by himself, surveying the scene. When Nate approached and called out to him, Tucker ignored him. He turned away and disappeared among the bystanders. A couple minutes later, Nate saw what he thought was Tucker’s truck heading down the dirt road out to the highway—following Cougar.

  ~~~

  “That’s it, Nate. Seven altogether. Unfuckingbelievable!”

  Connor stood beside the row of charred bodies shaking his head watching the coroner and his team bagging the remains.

  His cousin’s expression was as weary as his voice.

  “Damn, Nate, if this many people died in a house fire, we’d be calling it a massive tragedy. But this? Hell, it’s not even a surprise.”

  “Connor’s right.” Dan Coulter’s frown was apparent even in the dark. “I gotta tell you, we’ve known where this was heading, but it still shocks the hell out of me. It’s so fucking brazen. The assholes who did this knew damn well we’d know it was them. And they don’t fucking care. We’re like barnacles stuck on the bottom of their boat, a nuisance, an annoyance. Certainly not an impediment.”

  Nate scrubbed at his chin and looked from Connor to Sam and then back at Dan. He took a deep breath and blew it out.

  “You’re right on, Dan. That is exactly how Jeb and his gang and Cougar and his gang view us. Our task is to show them how wrong they are.”

  “How we gonna do that, Nate?”

  Nate guffawed. “That, my friend, is the question of the year.” He sucked in another breath of air and faced all of the men.

  “How is up for grabs. What isn’t. What we are going to do is take every goddamned one of them down no matter how many we have to kill in the process.”

  He eyed his men. His voice was low, intense.

  “Get some sleep. We’ll meet at 7 a.m. and go over the ME’s reports. Hopefully we’ll have all the bodies identified. Most of tomorrow will be contacting the relatives and dealing with the press. At least that’s what the outside world will see us doing.”

  At Dan’s unspoken question, Nate nodded.

  “Behind the scenes we’re going to be preparing for a party of our own. One that we generate. Not that I want to brag, but this bonfire tonight is going to seem like a boy scout picnic compared to ours.”

  “What are you talking about, Nate? We’re gonna light some fires? Literally?”

  Dan’s voice was incredulous matching the expressions on both Sam’s and Connor’s faces.

  “Hell, man. Think these assholes are the only ones who know how to blow shit up?”

  ~~~

  While the others headed back to their cars, Nate motioned for Connor to walk with him. When they were out of earshot of the remaining firefighters and cops, Nate turned to Connor. He wasn’t surprised to see that his cousin had pressed his lips in a firm line and was facing Nate head on. His feet were shoulder width apart, his fists clenched at his sides. Some might call it a fighting stance. Nate knew it signaled determination.

  “You know what I’m going to say, Connor, so how about we skip the argument and you simply say, ‘Yes, Nate, I agree. I’ll get right on it.’ “

  Connor snorted. “Damn you, Nate. You know I can’t do that. It’s unfair—if not unethical.”

  Nate managed to choke down the fury roiling in his gut. Even he was surprised how dangerous he sounded.

  “Connor, I don’t give a good Goddamn if it’s the most unfair OR most unethical thing I’ve asked you to do. All I know is you better do it. Now.”

  Connor shook his head.

  “Have you thought this through, Cuz? Are you really prepared for the blowback that will come your way–and mine, if I put Erin on the sidelines?”

  When Nate just shrugged, Connor persisted. “She’ll know it was you who put me up to it. But she’ll still be furious with me. And Nate, I will deserve her fury.”

  “Yes you will, Connor, and so will I. But I swear to God, if Erin does one thing at the firehouse besides write reports and lead school tours, Kaitlin’s gonna be moaning over the loss of your dangly parts. And man, I’m not kidding. And don’t tell me you wouldn’t be lost without them.”

  Connor gave an aggrieved sigh.

  “Damn, Nate. Sure hope your sofa is comfortable. I have a feeling you’re going to be making good use of it.”

  ~~~

  “Jesus, man! Are you sure? I need rock solid confirmation before I move on this.”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “When is the shipment scheduled to arrive?”

  “Friday night. But Cougar plans to wait until Saturday to blow it. Wants to be sure all the trucks have been unloaded and that most of Jeb’s men are there.”

  “In that case, we’ll hit them on Friday.”

  “You have to or it will be too late.”

  “Any sense how many will be inside?

  “Four, maximum. The rest of them will be coming on Saturday.”

  “Don’t know what to say, man, except for God’s sake, keep your head down. You know how I feel about your involvement. This is killing me.”

  “Yeah, I know Nate, Good night.”

  Nate had been stunned when his confidential informant approached him. He didn’t know what was harder. To believe the guy was serious or believe he wasn’t a plant. Without question the hardest thing was knowing that if anything happened to him, Nate would never forgive himself. But after the first three tips were dead on Nate knew he’d struck gold. Hell, the guy’d given him information that had shocked his high level DEA undercover agents. None of them had believed that Jeb had connections to the La Familia Muerte but his CI gave him irrefutable proof.

  Even so, it stuck in Nate’s craw. Made it hard to swallow when he thought about what he was doing, who he was working with. He did his best to underscore the danger the guy was in, but his informant was adamant.

  He’d said, “There’s no chance either Jeb or Cougar will suspect me.”

  Nate had to agree. He was still in shock himself. But nothing he said dissuaded his snitch. The guy was on a mission, a holy mission. Against his better judgment, Nate gave in and used the information to plan his response to the rapidly developing war. What else could he do? The information his CI gave him two days ago could change the course of the war—in favor of the good guys.

  Chapter 11

  Nate dragged himself into the dark house and headed for the kitchen. His cabin was his sanctuary. For three years, he’d poured his creative genius into the place, building a masterpiece of wood, stone and glass. Architectural magazines had begged to feature it. Who would have guessed a Northwo
od’s cop could design a place like this? Nate laughed at them. Up until a year ago only the Chief, and Connor and his family, had set foot in the place. He’d refused to share it. Too much like sharing his soul.

  That was before Erin. When he first brought her here, a miracle happened. His sanctuary became their sanctuary and even more amazing, it became a home.

  Opening the refrigerator he peered at his selection of beer. Remembering Sam taunting Jeb with his urbane knowledge of places and things Jeb had never dreamed of seeing, Nate chuckled. Damn, Sam was an impressive guy. His humor died thinking about the fire tonight. Seven men dead. In the matter of minutes. No question. Jeb had thrown down his marker. As much at Nate as at Cougar.

  He grabbed a bottle of Newcastle and tipped it in a salute to his nemesis.

  “Game on, asshole.”

  Walking into the great room with its twenty five foot beamed ceiling and a stone fireplace that covered one entire wall, Nate was surprised to see Erin. She was curled up in the big chair before fireplace. His heart leapt at the sight of the beautiful woman. Her cloud of dark curly hair hung over the arm of the chair. She’d pulled her long slim legs up to her chest and she’d rested her rosy cheek on her hands. Her long eyelashes formed a curtain on her pale face and her lips were full, pouty, inviting—even in her sleep.

  She looked innocent, like a child. Unprotected, vulnerable. Nate’s gut clenched. He knew only too well how vulnerable she was. She wouldn’t believe him, she’d fight against his concerns. But Erin didn’t know Jeb or Cougar. They were violent, inflamed men. They were out to get him. And the best way to do that was curled up in the chair in front of him.

  Erin stirred and woke. Surprise then concern filled her eyes when she saw him. She sat up and held out her arms.