MasterMind_An Anna Monroe and Never Far crossover

by A. A. Dark

  I headed into the airport, not having to look at the signs to find my way to the luggage area. I’d been here enough times that I knew this place like the back of my hand. And luckily, I wouldn’t have to wait. Joy Marks was already standing there with her small suitcase.

  “Dr. Patron.” She rushed forward, pulling her black leather luggage with her. Joy’s dark hair was pinned back, and she looked more tired than I had ever seen her. “Where’s Boston? How is he?”

  I held out my arm, letting her loop hers around mine. “He’s in the car with a friend he met here. A reporter who’s helping with the case. Her name is Anna. They’re going over articles online.”

  “Oh. But…how is he?”

  I glanced down, giving her a reassuring smile. Joy had never been approving of Lucy, or Boston’s obsession with her, but I convinced her I knew how to take care of it. When they finally got together, it was me who pushed for the acceptance, and she had trusted me. Lucy had become part of the family before they moved to Florida for school, and I could see Joy’s concern over the girl and her son.

  “He’s taking it very hard. I’m afraid he’s not doing so well. He’s going to seem distant. Even aggravated at times. I’m going to be blunt because I know you can handle it. You’re a strong woman and you want to offer support, but that might not be what Boston needs right now.” I sighed, giving her a sad look as we headed toward the main doors. “Lucy is in grave danger. Whoever took her knew what they were doing. Boston knows this, and that’s why he’s desperate to find her as fast as he can. Let him know you’re there for him, but for your own safety, keep your distance.”

  She came to a stop, her eyebrows drawing in as she gazed up at me. “You’re not insinuating Boston would hurt me, are you?”

  “Of course not. Not physically, but he may be mentally harsh at times. You know his behavior. The obsession keeps him overly focused on things. Before, it was Lucy, but now that she’s gone, it’s branched out to this Anna woman. She can help him, and he’s holding on rather tightly to that fact. I don’t even really think he wants me around.”

  “But you’ll stay with him, right? You’ll help him until Lucy’s found?”

  I nodded, beginning to lead her again. “I will as much as he allows, and as much as I think is best for him. There’s only so much I can do, and I believe Anna is very experienced in this sort of thing. She’ll be good to keep Boston’s mind off the facts. Off the reality of what could be happening to Lucy. As long as he’s distracted, he won’t be imagining the horrors she’s undergoing. That’s for the best.”

  “Do…” she paused, wiping away a tear, “do you think we’ll get her back?”

  A cool breeze swept over us as we headed outside. I stared at the parking ahead, switching on my false emotions.

  “I hope I’m wrong, but, no…I don’t think so, Joy. Not alive. Just this morning they found a girl’s body who was around the same age as Lucy. My time with the FBI has taught me a lot of things, and I’ve been pretty accurate on all of them. I’ve been asking around with some friends, and there’s another girl aside from Lucy whose also been taken. I’m afraid we’re at the beginning of a killing spree, and if we don’t find Lucy fast, she’s going to be one of the next victims.”

  “Oh God.” A sob had her hand flying to her mouth. “Poor Lucy. Poor, sweet Lucy. We can’t let that happen. Boston…he can’t take that. He can’t lose her. Not after everything he’s been through. She’s all he knows. All he loves. Without her…”

  “I know. Hurry, dry your tears. Don’t let him see how upset you are.” I drew us to a stop, turning her to face me. “I know you worry for him, but don’t. I will make sure he’s okay. To do that, I need you to listen very carefully. What your son needs is not to see his mother’s anxiety over the situation. We will go back to the hotel. I will take you to lunch, where you will look up flights to go home. The last thing Boston needs to feel is your fear. It’ll make his obsession worse. He will feel the need to rush, and that could set him off on an episode that may get him in a lot of trouble.”

  “But…I’m his mother. How will it look if I just abandon my son to deal with this on his own? He may be unfeeling toward me for the most part, but he’s still my son.”

  “He is, but sometimes we have to do what’s hard in order to help our children. Do you understand? Call him regularly. Speak with him and let him vent. But keep your concerns inside. Don’t make this worse, Joy.”

  Seconds went by before she nodded and wiped her tears again. Our walk continued until we were approaching my car. Through the dark-tinted windows, I couldn’t see Boston or Anna, but I knew exactly what they were doing. I opened my door and found I was right.

  “How’s it going?” I asked.

  Joy and I got in, turning to look toward them. They both had their phones, only glancing up when I spoke.

  “Good. Mother, so glad you could come.”

  Joy’s hand outstretched, and Boston took it, giving her a light squeeze.

  “Of course. Dr. Patron tells me you’re looking over newspaper articles?”

  “Yes. It was Anna’s idea.” He gestured. “Mom, meet Anna Monroe. She’s been amazing with helping me try to find Lucy. I don’t know what I would do without her. She thinks of things I never would. I guess because I can’t really think at all.”

  “Anna, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  The women shook hands while I put it in reverse and headed out of the garage. I barely even listened to their conversation. My mind went back to Lucy. About how I needed to get back soon. I’d bathe her before I went for round two on her ass. I really couldn’t wait to do that again.

  Ideas came, as did tidbits of conversation. My memory weeded through the highlights, and I let it fade as I got back onto the freeway and tapped the address of Boston’s hotel into the GPS.

  “Detective Casey probably wants to speak with you,” Boston said, looking up from his phone. “Not that you know anything, but he’ll still want to ask questions. Probably to both of you, actually,” he said, glancing to me in the rearview mirror. “You should take my mom there after you both have lunch. Anna and I decided to get takeout in the room. We have some ideas we thought over while you were gone.”

  “I can do that,” I said, smiling over to Joy. “I doubt it will take us long. You should still be fine on catching your flight back.”

  “Yes,” she mumbled. “Boston?” Joy rotated more in her seat to face her son. “Is there anything I can do for you while I’m here? Anything you need that maybe I can get you so you don’t have to stop your search? Clothes, socks, snacks for your room? I want to help you in any way I can.”

  “That’s very nice of you, Mom. Thanks. Yes…I…” He blinked rapidly, and then hard at the end. “I don’t know what I need. Food is always good. Coffee. Lots of coffee, and maybe a bigger coffee pot? The one in the hotel room is so small.”

  “All right. Can you think of anything else?”

  “No, but I need a car that’s not a rental. I’ll be buying one.”

  “You act like you’ll be here for a while.”

  Boston got quiet for a few seconds, his face hardening. “I’ll be here as long as it takes to find Lucy. And when I find her, we’ll be driving home. No more airplanes. No more over-populated places. Just me and her together. Alone.”

  I kept my attention on the road, withholding the smile that wanted to come. Lucy wasn’t going anywhere but the grave. When Boston finally got her back, there wouldn’t be much left to recover. He’d be mentally obliterated…and he’d come back to me to control.

  Chapter 11

  Detective Casey

  Rarely did someone’s opinion sway my views. I learned long ago not to judge a person until I got to know them. Friends, lovers, Anna, they had their own minds and beliefs, and so did I. I was on guard because of Anna’s call, but I planned to do what I always did and give the person the benefit of the doubt. That was gone now. I couldn’t dismiss Anna’s impression of Dr. Patron.
As I looked across my desk at the older man and woman eagerly answering all my questions, I could feel something wasn’t right.

  Perfectly manicured fingers tapped lightly against one of his large biceps while he sat with his arms crossed over his wide chest. The suit was expensive. Probably cost more than I made in a month. But it wasn’t his looks or material possessions that had me studying him. It was his tone. His eagerness. Neither matched the expression he had plastered on his face. Which was nothing. He was a blank slate, yet he poured emotion through his words.

  “I want to thank you, Mrs. Marks, for coming to see me. You said you arrived only a few hours ago?”

  “Yes. Right before lunch. Dr. Patron, my son, and his friend, Anna, I believe, came and picked me up from the airport. They filled me in as best as they could. I can’t believe this has happened.” She dotted at her eyes with a tissue as I continued to write. “After the drive, we dropped Anna and Boston off and went to a restaurant in town. They had things to do, and I thought it was the perfect time to help my son the only way I knew how. I feel so helpless.”

  “And how’s that? What did you do?”

  “Oh. He was in need of the basics, I’m afraid. Socks, clothes, food, and coffee for his room. That sort of thing.”

  “Right. And then?”

  Joy hesitated. “I went back and had an early dinner with Boston and Anna. And…here I am.”

  “What about before that? You live in Massachusetts?”

  “Yes. I’ve been at home. I’m afraid I don’t go out much.”

  “And what about Lucy? How long have you known her?”

  “Oh.” Joy blinked rapidly. “Since she was a child. Five or so. We live in a small town. Everyone knows everyone. Boston…he’s loved her his entire life. They basically grew up together. Her older brother was his best friend.”

  “Interesting.”

  My eyes glanced toward the doctor. “And you, Dr. Patron? When did you arrive?”

  “Yesterday morning. I—”

  “Do you have the time?” I interrupted, glancing up from writing.

  “Early. A little after seven, I guess.”

  “So…before Lucy Adams was taken?”

  His brows drew in. “I guess so. I wasn’t here in Rockford. I flew into Chicago and immediately met with a client. We had a very long day. He wasn’t well and was having quite a hard time opening up. I didn’t even know Lucy was missing until Boston’s call woke me up at around four this morning. Had I known, I would have postponed my client’s appointment and come straight to Rockford.”

  “You wouldn’t happen to want to give me the name of your client, would you?”

  The doctor’s head cocked to the side. “I’m a private practitioner, Detective Casey. Most of my clients are very well off and pay me generously for their privacy. I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to give out that information freely. You know how this works.”

  “Of course.” I tapped my pen against the desk. “Can you give me a time for when you were finished with your client?”

  He nodded. “Just before seven at night. I had dinner after that, then went to sleep. It was a very exhausting day.”

  “And where are you staying?”

  “I own a penthouse on the north side of Chicago. Sixty-sixth, East Goethe Street.”

  I scribbled the address, nodding.

  “I want to add that I do have friends in the area that sometimes offer their rentals or private residences. It helps with the commute since there are times I have longer drives than others. I’m on call while I’m here, so at some point, I may take them up on their offer.”

  “Thanks for informing me of that,” I said, jotting it down. “Do either of you know anyone who might possibly want to take Lucy? Anyone she may have had any disagreements with, or owe money to?”

  “Oh, no,” Joy Marks breathed out. “Lucy is an angel. She’s so sweet. And money, that’s not an issue for her or my son.”

  “I agree with Joy. I’ve met Lucy plenty of times. The girl is well-mannered. Always happy and smiling. She knows she can come to any of us if she needs something or has an issue she needs help working out.”

  “Okay. What of Mr. Marks? Will he be coming to Rockford?”

  Joy’s mouth opened, only to close. “I’m afraid my husband is out of the country. He’s trying to find a way to make it, but I’m not sure he’ll be able to manage.”

  I paused in glancing down. “That’s unfortunate. How does your son feel about that?”

  “Boston knows his father has to work. My husband, he…he’s a very important man…circumstances make it impossible. He would love to be here, and he’s upset he can’t be.”

  “Of course. Will you be staying long, Mrs. Marks?”

  Again, hesitation. “I wish I could, but Boston, he’s very…I think he’s better without me hovering like the worried mother I am. I just seem to upset him more. Dr. Patron, though, he’ll continue to keep an eye on Boston. At least for a little while.”

  The doctor shifted, agreeing.

  “Nice of you.” I put down the pen, sitting straighter. “Is there anything else either of you would like to add? Maybe something you may feel is important?”

  They looked at each other, shaking their heads as they came back to me.

  “Well, then, thank you both for coming in. If I need anything else, I’ll be sure to contact you.” I took out a card, handing it over. “And if you have any questions, you can contact me any time.”

  “Thank you, Detective Casey.”

  Joy Marks stood, as did the doctor. I grabbed my phone, watching them walk out of the main doors before I hit Anna’s number. She answered on the third ring.

  “Braden.”

  A yawn cut her off, and I frowned as I headed to make another cup of coffee.

  “Sounds like you need some sleep. How’s it going? You still with Boston Marks?”

  “We’re making a map. I think we’re almost done. At least for now.”

  “A map? A map of what?”

  “You’ll have to see. I can’t go into detail right now. I’m too tired. Did you…” she got quiet, dropping her voice, “did you meet with Dr. Patron?”

  “I did. Guy seems like an ass, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. How’s Boston?”

  “He’s asleep in the chair, and I’d like to keep it that way. He’s so worried. I wish…I hope we find her soon. He’s taking this hard. He loves her very much.”

  My stared dropped to my coffee, and then to the floor. “I know how he feels. You will go through me if you discover something, right? I mean, you’re both coming up with possible ideas, or locations, according to the sound of a map, but you’re not going to do anything on your own, are you?”

  “I know the law, Braden. It’s not like we’re going to be breaking into someone’s house.”

  “Anna, please don’t. I know you when you get going. Sometimes you don’t think things through. You have to call me if you come across anything remotely related to this case. I don’t even like what you’re doing, but what can I do? You don’t listen to me. Short of locking you up, it’s pointless. You won’t let me help you.”

  “That’s because I don’t need it. Not in the ways you mean. Right now, all I need to do is help Boston find Lucy.”

  “Not Boston. Me. You help me find her, and I will make sure she gets back to Boston.”

  “You know what I meant. I’m tired. I need to sleep for a few hours.”

  “There?”

  “Would you be upset if I did?”

  Upset? She had no idea how upset I was. Jealousy wouldn’t allow me to sound calm. Anger kept forcing its way into my words, no matter how hard I tried to hide it. “I prefer you didn’t.” I took a deep breath, spooning in sugar. “I can pick you up and give you a ride home if you can’t drive. I know you’re trying to support Boston, but we still don’t know who he is. Computers and interviews only tell me so much. Basically, it’s all smoke and mirrors.”

  “B
oston shouldn’t worry you, this new killer should. He doesn’t know yet. About the girl… The television has been off, and we’ve been working almost nonstop. I think I’ll stay. He needs to hear it from me.”

  “Anna, dammit. I really wish you’d separate yourself from this man. Let his mother and the doctor take care of him. Let them be there for support.”

  “Neither of them will put him at ease. Nothing will, except what we’re doing. It gives him purpose. You, more than anyone, should understand that. I have to stay.”

  I headed back toward my desk, sipping the coffee as I let the truth of her words sink in. I did know, and it tore me apart having to face it. What was worse, she was right. I may not have liked her around Boston, but as far as I could tell, this wasn’t his fault. “You’re going to need clothes. Let me pick you up. I can take you to get some, and when we return, I can talk to Boston. He should hear about the girl from me, and you’ll be there to cushion the news.”

  “I do need clothes.”

  “You do.”

  She paused. “I’ll grab my purse and meet you out front.”

  A flood of relief rushed in. Why, I wasn’t quite sure. Maybe it was just that I got to see her. Maybe it was because she was away from Boston, or because I still felt in charge with my investigation by breaking the news to him myself. Either way, I was already grabbing my keys and heading for the door. Diego looked up from his desk, confused.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Into town for a bit. You need anything while I’m out?”

  His eyes lit up, and I knew the smile he cast. It had me mirroring it.