The sound of footsteps brought both hope and fear. Maybe somebody was looking for her. Maybe a security guard was making his rounds. Maybe Anthony Walsh had returned to inflict more misguided punishment for his son’s death.
Too close to the door, she turned her body, trying to get out of the way, but something slammed her in the back and sent her sprawling facedown. She landed hard on the cement floor.
For a second time, the overhead light came on, blinding her. She kept her focus on the figure’s feet, recognizing Walsh’s shoes immediately.
He dragged a chair into the room, sat beside her, and rolled her over. He was the picture of calm, but his brown eyes were cold and cruel. He poked the toe of his shoe against her and then administered a series of kicks to her ribs.
Kay gasped for air but refused to beg. It had only angered him earlier.
“Trying to leave before the party started?”
“Take me home and we’ll forget this happened.” She lied, and he knew it. “You’re not thinking rationally. It’s grief talking.”
“You could be right. I did have a hard time concentrating tonight because of you. In fact, I made my excuses and withdrew early. I never understood some men’s enjoyment inflicting suffering on a female. Until now.” His gaze slid down her body, making her feel stripped naked. “First, I’d planned on having the pleasure of killing you. During the first course, I had a better idea.”
“Kill me, and you’re no better than Hank.”
Walsh laughed through a sneer. “Stupid bitch. You haven’t figured it out yet. You will soon enough.”
He reached down, dragged her to her feet, and then he released his hold. He made no effort to catch her, allowing her to fall. The crack of her shoulder reverberated inside her head, and waves of nausea washed over her.
“Why?” she asked. “This is way past revenge.” If he wanted to kill her, why hadn’t he shot her in the parking lot? This was more. Torture?
“This isn’t revenge. It’s justice.”
She closed her eyes away from the ugliness and pictured Nate. Prayed he knew she cared for him. If given the chance, she’d tell him how much she loved him. Always had. Always would.
She startled when something sharp pricked her leg. Walsh had a knife pressed into her skin. Grinning, he leaned down and cut her ankles loose. Blood rushed to her feet, sending electric tingles and shocks straight to her toes.
“Get up,” he commanded. “We’ve got business to take care of.”
Kay scooted to the chair. Using it for balance, she leveraged herself upright. She recognized the room. Just as she’d thought, she’d escaped from here once before. Could she do it again?
The knife blade came to her neck. The cool steel sent a shiver through her. Walsh had obviously gone crazy.
He half-dragged her out of the warehouse. He shoved her in a car, slid the knife into his coat pocket, and pulled out a gun, which he aimed at her as he moved around to the driver’s side.
“Where are you taking me?” She glanced around the car, hoping to find her purse. If someone had noticed her missing, they could track her using the GPS on her cell.
“You won’t find anything that belongs to you. That fancy smartphone’s battery has been removed, and all your things have been disposed of.”
After a few blocks, he drove around behind a different warehouse and parked. Using a key card, he swiped the lock and forced her inside. Kay moved slowly while her mind raced. Her head, ribs, and shoulder throbbed. Her hands had lost all feeling, and they were pale from loss of blood.
No time for pain. No time for tears. No time for fear.
He pushed her down the hall to a room where a post stood in the middle of a small platform. Handcuffs were welded to the top. Kay stomach roiled. She stared at the man standing beside her. The truth sent blood racing from her head.
“Hank wasn’t the monster behind the kidnappings and human trafficking. You are.”
The elder Walsh had come across so kind and concerned about his son, they hadn’t considered him a suspect. She realized now it was all an act. He was as evil as Hank. Maybe more so.
“I said you’d understand soon.” His lips curled into a smirk.
In a dangerous move, he stabbed the knife between the rope binding her wrists and cut her free. Blood rushed to her hands, sending a burning sensation all the way to the tips of her fingers. She clutched her hands to her chest, rubbing life back into her skin.
“Get up there.” With his hand between her shoulder blades, he shoved her onto the platform.
“You’re a sick bastard. A son of a bitch who preys on unsuspecting young women!” she screamed. “Well, I’m not one of them. I’ll see you on death row for Leann’s murder.”
“Such brave words.” His lips curved into a cruel smile. “It won’t take long for you to lose that fake bravado.”
The feeling had returned to Kay’s hands and feet. So she searched for a way to take advantage of her freedom. She forced herself to wait and pick the right time to move. Anger fired heated rockets throughout her body and blinded her to the danger of making him mad.
“Don’t you want to know what’s about to happen?”
“And spoil your fun? I’m sure you’ll tell me.” She gathered all her resolve and tried to sound brave while every nerve cell quivered.
Wait. Keep him talking until he stepped from behind the post. When he moved into the clear, she’d rush him. If he expected her to go quietly, he was in for one hell of a surprise. She’d fight for her life with every breath in her body.
“You’re right. Given some time to think about your death, I decided killing you was too easy. Wouldn’t satisfy me. I came up with something more appropriate.” His tone was as gleeful as a kid’s on Christmas morning.
“More appropriate?”
“Yes. You were so interested in the business, I think you should learn about it firsthand. You’re older than my usual stock, but you’ll still fetch a decent price. The two bidders will teach you everything you ever wanted to know.” His tongue slid out, snaked across his lips as he ran his fingers down her cheek. “Too bad I won’t be there to witness.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Her voice cracked, belying her bravado. Frissons of tiny quakes zipped through her body.
“Oh, I would. You’re a bit old for their liking, so I’m reducing the price for a quick sale. They get off inflicting excruciating pain, so I’m betting they will keep you alive for a long time. They each have an underground room chock full of fun devices. Death will be a blessing by the time they’re finished.” He pointed at two computer screens.
“Dear God,” she cried when her gaze landed on two men. Lurid grins across fat greasy faces leered at her. She gagged.
Walsh moved to the side and said, with a wave of his hand, “Let the bidding begin.”
Kay ducked her head and charged like a linebacker. Weak and unsteady on her feet, she stumbled forward. Walsh sidestepped her, and she fell on her shoulder again. He grabbed her by the hair, dragged her back onto the platform and clamped a handcuff around one wrist. His hand tangled in her hair and smashed her head against the post. A dark void softened the exploding pain by pulling her under.
****
For the first time tonight, Nate was glad he’d contacted Tomas and Wayne. With lights and sirens blasting, they’d made record time getting across Dallas to Holly’s apartment.
“We’ll wait here,” Tomas said.
Nate sprinted up the stairs. He’d raised his hand to knock when the door opened. Tyrell and Marcus were there with her.
“What’s happened?” Holly’s hand gripped Nate’s bicep, pulling down on the sore shoulder. “Sit,” she commanded. “You’re white as a ghost.”
“Can’t,” he refused, rubbing his forehead to stave off the headache. He studied her bruised face. How strong was she? Was he about to ask too much of her? Facing the man who’d held her hostage would take balls.
“I need your help.” He led her to her cou
ch. Only after she’d joined him, Nate continued. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t believe Kaycie’s life is in danger, but Jake refuses to speak with anyone except you.”
Tyrell shook his head. “She’s been through enough. I’ll talk to Jake.”
“No, you won’t,” Nate snapped. “I’m asking Holly if she’s up to facing him.”
Tyrell’s eyes were ablaze with anger, but Nate wasn’t budging. He needed Holly’s help.
“Tyrell,” Marcus barked out the name. “It’s Holly’s decision. Let her make it.”
“There has to be another way.” Tyrell’s voice bounced off the walls.
“Stop,” Holly said, raising her voice. “I want to see Joh ... Jake. Deep inside, he’s a good man. If he can help, he will.”
Tyrell towered over her. “He used to be a good man. We don’t know that person sitting in jail.”
Her jaw tightened, thinning her lips. “Don’t you dare judge him.” She grabbed a jacket from the hall closet and stormed to the front door, where she stopped and glared back at Nate. “Get your ass in gear.”
****
“Does he have to be chained like some dangerous criminal?” Holly protested. The anguish on her face worried Nate. She’d gotten too close to Jake.
“I’m afraid so.” Tomas rolled his eyes.
They watched Jake through the two-way mirror.
“Keep him on topic,” Nate cautioned before leading her around to the door. “We’re running out of time. I feel it in my gut.”
She straightened her shoulders and nodded once. “Let’s pray your gut is wrong.”
When Jake saw Holly, his face relaxed, smoothing out the frown lines between his eyes. For all practical purposes, Nate might as well have been invisible. He didn’t care if it got Jake talking.
“Are you all right?” Jake asked, his gaze drifting across her face.
Her hand brushed across the discoloration on her face as if she could dust the bruises away. “Thanks to you, I’m well.” She eased down in the chair across from Jake, and Nate moved to stand directly behind her. “They’ll help you get well, Jake. You have to cooperate.”
“I overheard them talking. The operation might kill me.”
“But the surgery might save your life. Please let them try. And please help us find my friend.” Holly’s tone was urgent yet soothing. “A man kidnapped Kay in broad daylight. Nobody can ID him. The cops are searching, digging into who else was associated with Hank.”
Jake snorted a sound Nate assumed meant disgust. Nate capitalized on it by jumping into the conversation.
“So Hank wasn’t the brains. You did the world a favor by killing him. Although, I’d preferred to have done it myself.”
Holly stretched her hand across the table, almost touching Jake. “Who told you to kidnap me?”
“I followed orders.”
“But who issued them?” she prompted.
“Mr. A is the only person allowed to give me direct commands. His business is very important to him. He has customers who depend on him for good product.”
Nate clamped his hand on Holly’s shoulder when she recoiled in her chair. Damn, Jake’s condition was worse than Nate imagined.
“And you were charged with taking care of Mr. A’s business. How did you dispose of the,” Holly swallowed, “ah, merchandise.”
“Video auction. There would’ve been one tonight.”
Nate took a calming breath and dragged over a chair. He sat, casually leaned back, and rested one ankle over the opposite knee as if two old friends were talking. “Oh yeah? Gotta have a private location for that.”
Nate sat quietly while Jake described where the auction went down and how the girls were transported.
Holly asked, “You think Kay might be at the warehouse where the sales are held?”
“She could be. It’s secure.” Jake’s mouth lifted into a smile. “Hidden behind a fake wall.”
“Really?” Holly feigned interest. “That’s the building I was in, right? Where is that?”
Jake spilled the address easily. Nate wanted to bolt from the room but had one more thing to ask.
“Can you describe Mr. A?”
Jake remained silent, the tendons in his jaw flexed. Nate opened his mouth, but a glance from Holly silenced him.
“Tell us. Please,” she whispered, her tone calm and patient.
Nate held his breath as Jake’s gaze swept across her face. “Tall, thin, gray hair. Distinguished. Sharp dresser.”
“Oh, shit.” Nate sprang from the chair, sending it tumbling backward.
Chapter 30
Nate’s sanity hung by a thread. Why hadn’t they realized the bastard wasn’t the fragile, elderly gentleman he pretended to be? With his standing in the community, Anthony Walsh had the perfect cover. Jesus. No one had suspected him.
All the pieces fell into place. Old man Walsh was the brains behind the entire disgusting organization. How many teenage girls were in captivity because of him? How many were dead?
“One more question. Why was getting Hank’s ring back so important?” Nate righted the chair. The bullet wound in his shoulder burned from the tensed muscles. He steadied himself and moved to the door. Turning, he waited for the answer.
“It’s a signet ring and identical to one Mr. A had to quit wearing when Hank lost his. The last present Mr. A’s wife gave them before she died. Somebody could’ve recognized it and then tied the Walshes to Leann Vaughn’s death.”
“You killed her, didn’t you?” Nate had already guessed the answer.
“I followed orders.”
“Let’s go,” Nate said to Holly.
She leaned across the table closer to Jake. “Take care of yourself. Let the doctors make you well. Okay?”
“They’ll probably kill me. Is that what you want?”
“No. I want you to promise me you’ll let people help you.”
Jake nodded. “I’m sorry you were dragged into this mess. That’s why I insisted on talking with you. So I could apologize.” The corners of his mouth lifted briefly, and then he turned his gaze away from her.
“Holly.” Nate opened the door. His patience was gone.
“Wait,” Jake called out.
Nate spun, his impatience boiling over. “What?”
“Were you lying to get answers, or am I really Jake Donovan?”
“I don’t lie. You’re Jake.” Nate’s anger subsided at the bewildered expression on Jake’s face. “And you have friends who won’t turn their backs on you. We’ll be around, and we’ll be there when you get well. But right now, we have to go.”
Wayne waited just outside, blocking the hallway. “Tomas is getting a verbal warrant for Walsh’s warehouse.”
Nate stepped around Wayne, pulling Holly along behind. “I’m not standing around doing nothing while Kaycie’s in danger.”
“Neither are we. By the time we get to the parking lot, we’ll have the judge’s okay on the warrant. This bust has to be legal.”
Nate hurried Holly outside. Tyrell and Marcus had followed. They’d parked and waited.
“Wolfe,” Wayne spoke from behind. His tone commanded attention. “You’ll agree to do this the right way, or I’ll have you arrested for obstruction.”
Nate placed Holly’s hand in Tyrell’s. “Take her home. She can fill you in. Old man Walsh has Kaycie.”
Turning to Wayne, Nate said, “Then I’m riding with you.”
****
The raid almost resulted in Nate’s arrest. He’d wanted to go in with the first wave. Damn police procedures. As soon as SWAT gave the all-clear sign, Wayne made Nate surrender his weapon before he could go inside. He didn’t get through the door before a group of black-clad, Kevlar-vest wearing officers confronted him. Wayne waved Nate on past the blockade.
They went straight to the back wall and down the now open secret passageway.
Wayne reached out and grabbed Nate’s right arm.
Nate clutched his shoulder, and growled, “Get off
me. I’m going back there.”
“With me.” Wayne’s gaze was icy. “Or I’ll have these guys haul you out and handcuff you to my steering wheel.”
A SWAT member stepped into view. He slid his helmet off and shook his head. “No female found, sir. The suspect is in the fourth office on the right. No one has questioned him.”
“Thanks.” Wayne clapped the man on his shoulder.
“I’ll kill him.”
“Not on my watch,” Wayne commented firmly.
Nate couldn’t hold back any longer. He ran down the hall. The doors to rooms were splintered and hanging off the hinges. SWAT must’ve put their boot to each lock and kicked. Guards stood on either side of the door. Nate and Wayne stepped into the office.
“Mr. Walsh.” Wayne wasted no time. “We know you abducted Kay Taylor. Where is she?”
Walsh sat straight-backed in a chair, hands in his lap. His lips curved downward in a sick sneer. The dignified appearance he’d presented to Nate and Kaycie was replaced by pure evil.
The hair on the back of Nate’s neck rose. For the first time, he feared they were too late.
“Like my son, she’s gone. Unlike my son, she’ll suffer great pain before she dies.”
“You scumbag.” Wayne leaned forward. “How do you sleep nights?”
“Very well, thank you. I grew up being passed around like garbage. Do you know the price for a little boy sixty years ago?” He held a finger up as if issuing instructions not to interrupt him. “Not much. It didn’t take me long to learn the value of human life. The fate of other people means zero to me.”
The calm demeanor the old man displayed sent Nate’s rage to explosion level. “You sick bastard. Tell us what you’ve done with her.”
“She’s gone. And you’ll never find so much as a remnant of her.”
In one motion, Walsh pulled a gun from under the desk, pressed the barrel into the underside of his chin, and fired.
Hair, blood, and brains exploded out the top of the old man’s head, splattering pieces of him on everything and every person standing nearby.
Hell Or High Water (Lost and Found, Inc.) Page 21
