by V. K. Powell
“I wish we could hear something.” As if willing the phone to ring, Loane’s cell chirped.
“Hello? Yeah. Right. Are you sure? Good. Did her mother show up? How was that? I can imagine. Was she upset because I wasn’t there? Okay. Thanks so much. I owe you. Bye.”
Abby punched Loane playfully. “Tell me.”
“She has a concussion, broken ribs, bruised kidneys, a through-and-through gunshot to the side, and a few serious cuts. She’ll be in the hospital a few days for observation. Her mother showed up, pissed because she doesn’t know what happened. She thinks it’s because Kinsey got mixed up with June. Tori said Kinsey came around long enough to say she’d get even with me for calling her mother. Oh, and she wished us luck.”
“If she’s coherent enough to threaten you, she should be fine.” The air inside the van seemed to noticeably lighten with the good news, and Abby returned her attention to the case. She glanced in the rearview mirror. “I assume Bowman and Tyler are somewhere back there.”
“Oh, crap, I was so focused on Kinsey I forgot to check with them before we left. Better make sure.” She dialed her cell, and from her side of the conversation, things seemed to be in order. “They’re a couple of cars back, and from the way Ty was laughing, it sounds like he and Bowman have made peace.”
“Good…so…what would you like to do for the next nine hours?”
Loane looked at her like she’d suggested they pull over for sex along the roadside. “Uh, watch the beautiful nighttime landscapes rush by the window?” She oozed sarcasm and uncertainty.
They rode in silence for quite a while, Loane looking out the window and making occasional innocuous comments about the scenery or the weather, and Abby replying in kind. After the second bathroom break and a food stop, she decided that Loane might be content to squander a golden opportunity to reconnect, but she wasn’t. If she didn’t take this chance to clear the air between them, she might not get another one.
Abby lobbed an emotional grenade into her lap. “Want to talk about us?” The startled look on Loane’s face prompted a gentler invitation. “We don’t have to. I thought since we have several hours of uninterrupted time together and we’re not sure what’ll happen at the other end, we might talk. I dumped a lot on you at the park the other day. Do you have any questions now that you’ve had some time to think?”
“Not really.”
“So, you understand everything?” It couldn’t be this easy. She knew Loane too well to imagine one conversation would clarify all that had passed between them.
“Your job, the secrets, no communication, all makes sense in retrospect.”
“Then why do I sense a great big but on the end of that sentence?”
“Because there is. Just because I understand doesn’t mean everything will work out.” She looked at Abby and the pain in her eyes was clear. “I trusted you completely. I’ve never done that before. And you left.”
Loane’s statement was heartfelt, but something about it didn’t ring true. How could Abby say that delicately without discounting her sincerity? “When we had sex the first time, you wouldn’t even let me hold you afterward. As we got closer, you let me cuddle and spend the night. You even shared some of your family stuff, and I know that wasn’t easy. But what about the night I left? You wanted to say something. I saw it in your eyes, but you held back.”
“I…Abby, it’s complicated and it’s not only about trust. When my mother rejected me for being gay and my dad left, I felt like it was my fault, like they’d abandoned me. Hell, I joined a profession where the clientele lies for survival and sport. I expect people to lie, so it’s not that. I want to feel that somebody loves me enough to stay, for keeps, no matter what.”
Abby wiped tears away with the back of her hand. She’d struck at the heart of Loane’s insecurity—by leaving, she’d made her feel second best. Even so, Loane had continued to engage others, which spoke volumes about her capacity to care. “It will never happen again.”
“How can you sound so certain?”
“Because I’m finally beginning to understand what you need from me. And in spite of your pain, you’ve been reaching out. That proves you do care, that you do have faith in the basic goodness of people because you haven’t given up—not with your brother, not with Kinsey, not with the job you supposedly quit, or even Bowman, and certainly not with me. You believe even against the odds—that’s faith, Loane. It’s trust in the purest form and it’s love. Give yourself some credit.”
“I’d call it stupidity.”
“Face it, Landry, you’re an optimist at heart, like me. You couldn’t do the job you do every day if you didn’t believe people were worth saving.” Loane’s eyebrow arched toward her hairline, and she stared at Abby as if she’d said something profound. “One more thing and I’ll be quiet. I think you love me, and I know I love you. I don’t have any more secrets. The only thing left is to figure out how to move forward…if you want.”
“I think I might, Agent Marconi.” She kissed Abby’s cheek before posing another question. “The night of the explosion, did you call Bowman on your way to Simon’s?”
“No.”
“He told me he got a call. I guess I assumed…” The pain in Loane’s voice was obvious. She thought Abby had called him and not her.
“I didn’t call him, but somebody did and told him to go to the Torre house.”
“Do you believe him?” Loane asked.
“I want to. Otherwise we’re in trouble. Trust is a two-way street. You have to start somewhere.”
“I’m starting to get that…and maybe it’s myself I don’t trust, not everybody else.” She swiped at her eyes and looked away. “I have more to say, Abby, but can we wait until this is over? A truck filled with guns isn’t an ideal setting for an intimate conversation.”
“I’ll wait as long as you need.”
Their talk had taken longer than Abby realized with their stops and starts and prolonged silences. In the end, she’d given it her best shot and their future was now in Loane’s hands. Strangely enough, she felt comfortable with that, even after all her bravado about making her own way and being independent. Somehow letting Loane make this decision seemed right. Her parents had always said that love involved a lot of give and take. Maybe this was her next test.
Beside her, Loane pulled her phone off her belt and dialed. “We’re almost at the meeting place. I’ll let Ty know.” When the call connected, Loane said, “You guys find a place to stage nearby, but be careful. They might have lookouts. I’ll dial your number when we get there and leave the line open so you can hear everything. When I say you’ve got enough weapons here to start a war, that’s your cue. Let the locals know we’re moving into position but to hold fast until they hear from you.”
Abby pulled behind a warehouse in the industrial district as instructed, at almost four in the morning, and saw three men get out of a Ford Mustang. It was still dark, and the lack of streetlights in the area made her uncomfortable. She parked behind the men and left her headlights on. They were all dressed in black, bulky and rough in the street-worn sense. One held a weapon clearly visible, and another clutched an unseasonably heavy coat around a bulge. The man in the center stood with his hands clasped in front of him, his face almost completely covered by stringy hair and an unkempt beard.
Loane looked at the group then at her. “Don’t take any chances. I mean it, Abby. We hand over the weapons, check the money, and call in the cavalry. Agreed?”
“Absolutely. Guess I’ll do the talking since I’m the actor.”
“Good plan.” She gave Abby’s hand a quick squeeze. Before they exited, Abby watched Loane tuck her small Walther .380 into the waistband of her pants. “Ready.”
She and Loane got out of the van and walked toward the waiting men. As she approached, Abby sized them up and decided on the best tactic. They looked like street thugs, interested in money, guns, and sex. She decided to play the innocent. “Hi, I’m Abby. Carl sent me. I’m
supposed to leave the van and take your car.” She put on her best naïve expression. “Right?”
Beard man spoke. “Sounds right. Call me Grizz. You two got guns on you?”
“Of course we’ve got guns. We’re not stupid. You’ve got guns.” Abby nodded toward his two companions. “I didn’t realize we were playing show-and-tell. I thought this was a business transaction.”
For a second Abby thought she’d been too combative, but Grizz grinned. “I like a feisty woman.” He stepped forward and his grin vanished. “I need to look at the cargo.”
“Sure.” She moved toward the rear of the van, certain Loane was covering her. Punching in the lock code, she stepped aside and swung the doors open. “Help yourself. It’s all here.”
Grizz motioned for the other two men to check while he stood beside her, taking visual liberties. Wanting to shiver in disgust, she looked across at Loane to calm her nerves. She was the picture of cool composure. Anyone else would think ice water ran in her veins, but Abby saw the barely contained anger mixed with love in her wild blue eyes. She wanted to put Grizz in his place for even looking at her.
“Everything all right?” Abby asked.
“All here, boss,” one of the men said from inside the van.
“Now it’s my turn to inspect the merchandise.” Abby motioned back toward the Mustang.
Grizz lumbered to the car, popped the trunk, and lifted a duffel bag out of the spare-tire wheel well. “There you go.”
Abby opened the bag and looked inside. Small bundles of neatly packaged bills almost looked like play money. She took one out and flipped through it like she’d seen on television to make sure it wasn’t stuffed with newspaper. She handed the bag to Loane for a second look. When she nodded, Abby turned to Grizz. “Well, guess we’re done here.”
“You have enough guns to start your own war. We’re out of here,” Loane said.
Grizz held the car keys dangling between his fingers as if taunting Abby. “What’s your hurry, pretty lady? We could go somewhere and party now the business is done.”
“Not tonight. We have to get back.” As she reached for the keys, Grizz grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back, pulling her in front of him like a shield.
“I’m afraid not. Carl wants you two taken out,” Grizz said.
The next instant, she felt the metal of Grizz’s weapon pressed against her temple. Loane’s shocked expression confirmed that the situation was as dire as it seemed. Abby heard the screeching of tires behind her as Tyler and Bowman arrived.
The muzzle of Loane’s weapon looked like a cannon from Abby’s perspective. She’d never been on the receiving end of a gun, much less two at once. “Don’t do anything stupid, man,” Loane said. “You’re surrounded and your partners deserted you. It’s four against one, not very good odds.”
“Looks like three against two, and I’ve got the winning hand. I’ll blow her pretty little face off if you come any closer.”
Loane motioned for Tyler and Bowman to stay back. “Calm down. We can talk about this. Find a way out for everybody.”
“The only way out for everybody is for me to leave here with the van and the money. Now move!” He shoved Abby toward the van. She struggled, but his grip around her waist was firm, almost cutting off her breath.
She knew Loane was only thinking about saving her and would risk her own life to do it. “Shoot him, Loane.” She stared at her lover and sent the message she hoped would save them both. Trust me.
“I don’t have a shot.” Loane’s eyes broadcast an uncertainty Abby had never seen as she planted her feet firmly, repositioned her weapon, and aimed.
“Don’t give up, Loane. Shoot him, now!” As she spoke, Abby heard a gunshot, went limp in the man’s arms, and dropped to the ground.
Chapter Twenty-two
Loane watched the scene unfold in slow motion. Grizz held Abby around the waist, his gun pressed against her head, hiding behind her like a coward. When she looked into Abby’s eyes, she expected to see fear but was surprised at how calm she seemed. Abby begged her to shoot, but could she hit Grizz without injuring the woman she loved? If she lost Abby again, and by her own hand, she’d never recover.
She planted her feet apart, rolled her shoulders to relieve some of the tension, and sighted down the barrel of her Walther. Her target was too small. The slightest deviation and she’d hit Abby. Could she take that chance?
“Shoot him, now!” Abby yelled.
Something in her voice and the intensity of her eyes convinced Loane to take the shot. She obtained her target. Took a deep breath. Held it and slowly squeezed the trigger. She saw the muzzle flash as her weapon discharged and Abby collapsed. Had her shot gone astray and hit Abby instead? God, please, no!
Grizz fell backward, his body bloody and still on the ground. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tyler and Bowman move in. She rushed to Abby’s side, terrified to touch her, terrified not to. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out. A lump formed in her throat as she bent over Abby’s still body. “Abby…” Tears ran down her face. She placed her hand tentatively on Abby’s shoulder. “Please, don’t leave me. I need you.” She carefully rolled Abby over, visually checking for injuries.
When Abby landed on her back, she gasped a mouthful of air and coughed. “Told you I’d never leave you again. Jeez…that freaking pavement is hard.”
“Abby! You’re all right?” Loane scooped her up in her arms and hugged her against her chest. “Oh, my God, I was afraid I’d hit you.”
“Got the wind knocked out of me.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? I’ll call an ambulance and get you to the hospital.”
Abby sat up, still leaning against Loane’s chest. “I’m fine, hon. Did we get the bad guys?”
She hadn’t even considered the suspect once Abby fell. She assumed Tyler and Bowman would do their jobs. Hers was to take care of Abby. She shrugged and they both looked around. Tyler stood over an unmoving Grizz, and Bowman was on the phone.
“How’d we do?” Abby asked.
“This one is out, but still breathing,” Tyler said. “Ambulance is on the way. Bowman is updating local cops and ATF for the use of force. You two okay?”
She looked down at Abby, who smiled broadly and nodded. “We’re fine, little brother. Thanks for being here.”
“Always got your back.” He returned his attention to Grizz as the ambulance pulled in behind the warehouse, followed closely by two city police vehicles.
“That makes two of us, you know,” Abby said.
“Yeah, I’m beginning to believe that.” Abby tried to get up. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Loane, I’m fine. I need to call Hector Barrio. He’s waiting to execute search and arrest warrants. And I think you need to call the Greensboro Police and have them pick up Ray and Tiny and close down the club until we get back. I don’t want them to find out about the arrests and leave town.”
“But I—”
“I know. I wanted to personally take those two into custody, for Kinsey. But we’ll be detained with this shooting and can’t afford to wait that long.” She brushed her hand up Loane’s arm and cupped her jaw. “Agreed?”
“No fair using your feminine charms to seduce me into agreeing with you.”
“Is that what I’m doing, seducing you?”
“I sure hope so.” When Abby moved away, Loane’s head cleared enough to process what she’d said. “Wait, why should I call Greensboro? As far as they know, I’m still on leave.”
“Exactly. Who’s to say you haven’t been on special assignment with ATF since your supposed leave of absence? Surely your old friend Chief Hastings can arrange that, especially if it makes him look good. We’ll wrap this case up with a nice, neat bow that includes reinstating you with honors…if that’s what you want.”
When Abby turned to call Barrio, Loane said, “Have him bluff Carl about the PCP that was found in Simon’s system. I have a feeling he might know how it got
there.”
“You think he could’ve been behind the death of his relatives?”
“It’s possible.”
While Abby finished her conversation with Hector Barrio, Loane thought about her conflicting feelings toward the people she worked with and how she’d left her job. In hindsight, perhaps she’d been too emotionally involved to see the situation clearly. Her only concern had been trying to get information about Abby and avenge her death. Maybe she’d judged others too harshly, like she’d done Tyler. If she wanted her job back, she’d have to eat a lot of crow. That would be much easier if she went back on a high note with her suspicions vindicated.
“Do you want to go back to the PD, hon?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
Something else she hadn’t considered in a while floated to the surface. Abby could be assigned to work anywhere in the country. “Where will you be?”
“Good answer.” Two black government vehicles pulled up and Abby nodded toward them. “We’ll talk about this later. I better go play nice with the locals.” She blew Loane a kiss and walked over to Bowman and the arriving agents.
*
It was nearly eleven in the morning when Abby stared out the window of the ATF turbo-prop plane at the Piedmont Triad International Airport below. Hector Barrio had pulled a few strings for the ride, invoking urgent investigative necessity or some such government nonsense. He’d also arranged for Greensboro police to meet them at the airport and take them wherever they wanted to go. She’d gotten very little rest on the flight, but Loane was still sleeping.
As the plane’s landing gear came down, she kissed the top of Loane’s head where it rested against her shoulder. “Hon, we’re about to land.” She hated to wake her. The dark circles under her eyes had only deepened in the last twelve hours, partly due to lack of sleep but mainly to worry about Kinsey. Though Tori had called earlier with an update on her, they both wanted to see for themselves.
