Shadows May Fall

by Corcoran, Mell

  “Well, you better be quick about it.” Lou told him as she got up and washed out her cup. “This weekend is the perfect opportunity for me to ask them to let me tag along with them for a few days. I can probably swing it to look like I’m doing some extra-departmental training or something. Captain Davidson can help me sell that end of it with the department and Dillon will have my back here.”

  “How is he working out, by the way?” Max had been wanting to ask her but hadn’t had the opportunity.

  “It’s like having a bigger, younger Vinny, to be honest.” Lou laughed. “I couldn’t be happier.”

  Max smiled. “Good. We have Abby to thank for that stroke of brilliance.” He had some apologizing to do to her as well.

  “I guess I should probably go get ready for work.” Lou admitted reluctantly. “Sorry to barge in here and ruin your sleep.”

  “You did no such thing.” He got up with her.” I was too wired from the trip. We had a bit of rough weather coming in on the seaplane. Quite a storm was hitting up north. I just missed it, thankfully.”

  “Well, I am glad your back.” She told him as she opened the door, but something made her stop and turn around to face him. “I mean that. I know it was just a short trip and all, but I missed you.

  Really.” Lou turned around immediately and bolted for the main house. She didn’t look back, didn’t break stride. It wasn’t planting a wet one as Caroline had suggested and it sure wasn’t baring her soul and confessing her undying love for him. But it was something. If this was a poker game between the two of them, Lou suspected this would be the Flop, and it was his turn to call or raise.

  Max stood in silence as he watched her hot-foot it away. She missed him? She had said that, right? Yes, she said she missed him. It wasn’t a necessary thing to say, he had only been gone two days. Lou wasn’t a sappy, sentimental type so for her to deliberately turn and tell him she missed him, that meant something. Was everyone right? She did care for him? He felt his toes and fingertips grow warm and realized he had a goofy smile slapped on his face. What the hell was wrong with him? It’s not as if she told him she loved him or anything, but it was something, and that was all he needed.

  When she was long out of sight, he spun around and went back inside with renewed purpose. Despite all the work they had ahead of them, he was in far too good of a mood to let it spoil a thing. He was going to enjoy this feeling for as long as he could. Max sat back down at one of the computer terminals and started sifting through all his emails. He separated out what could wait and what needed his immediate attention, working from the oldest to the most recent and realized he was humming while he worked. It wasn’t even a tune he could name or where even he had heard it. He couldn’t recall the last time he hummed anything, and that made him laugh. How such a ridiculously innocuous statement from Lou could totally elevate his mood to such heights was beyond him. He wasn’t complaining, though. It made the tedium of sifting through his emails rather enjoyable.

  Max was responding to the last email when a vital communication popped up from Henrik Sorenson, the Dominor for Northern Europe. Max had spoken with him briefly on his way back from Alaska after he found out about Niko’s ambush. Henrik had been livid that such a thing would happen within his region and assured Max that his Aegis would go to any lengths to remedy the situation. Max knew that meant he and his people would hunt down the attackers and eliminate them, nothing less than he and his people would do. He had been expecting a follow-up message but not one of this nature.

  Max,

  Given the recent developments and the severity of the situation, I want to assure you that we have every agent, all of our resources, directed at locating and apprehending Albert von Massenbach. I surely do not need to tell you how utterly shocking it was to learn that he was behind the attack on Niko. I video conferenced with Ivan right before I set to writing this to you, and he is flooding St. Petersburg with agents and his Aegis has been dispatched to the region. If Albert is still in Russia or if he dared cross over into my territory, we will find him and hold him until you can come and eliminate him for all of us.- Henrik

  Max dialed Niko immediately but got sent straight to voicemail. He was probably somewhere over the Atlantic and out of cell range. His next call was to Connor, who was conferencing with Ana, so Max ordered him to patch him into the conversation.

  “What the hell has happened?” Max demanded as soon as Ana Halstaadt, Lieutenant of the Northern European Aegis Council, and Connor, Max’s number three, came into view on his screen.

  “My Dom...” Connor was clearly flustered. “Niko wanted to relay the new development to you in person and requested that I hold off on informing you.”

  “Really?” Max raised his eyebrow and Connor knew he was more than pissed.

  “My sincere apologies, Dominor Julian, I had no idea Niko had yet to inform you. “ Ana was flustered but utterly professional. “I understand his wanting to brief you himself but given the situation, I don’t think we have the luxury of time to wait for that.”

  “Your damn right we don’t.” Max felt his blood boil. “So tell me!”

  Ana filled Max in on everything that had happened from the moment her husband called her in. She was currently on a train headed for St. Petersburg and had activated every resource she had to tracking Albert von Massenbach. They all suspected that he had fled the area immediately after his meeting in Summer Garden with the two hitmen. The entire scenario had been carefully planned right down to the ring that Albert deliberately displayed for the men so that they would be able to relay that detail upon their capture. Albert also knew that sending uninitiated thugs would be entirely ineffective against Niko. It was all staged to be a message that he was out there, and he had resources.

  “Connor...” Max paused to measure his response carefully. “Advise everyone that I will inform Lou myself. No one is to mention one word of this before I speak to her. Understood?”

  “Understood, my Dominor.” Connor hadn’t planned on touching that with a ten foot pole.

  “Ana, please keep us apprised of any developments, no matter how trivial they may be.” Max requested. “Also, please extend my deepest thanks to your husband, and to you as well, for seeing to Niko. I am in your debt.”

  “It is our honor, Dominor Julian.” Ana bowed her head. “Niko is family to us, as you all are. I take this very personally and have literally unleashed the hounds.”

  “Your efforts are greatly appreciated.” Max meant every word. “Connor, as soon as Niko arrives, get everyone here, please.”

  “As you wish, my Dom.” Connor acknowledged, knowing Max was going to want all hands on deck, and then some.

  “Thank you both. I’ll be in touch.” Max ended the video conference and leaned back in his chair.

  This changed things. Lou’s idea about using her newly minted position as Principate as cover to investigate the other regions was an excellent idea at the time. Now, with Albert rearing his ugly head, it would leave her far too exposed. Especially since it was clear, Albert had Sanguinostri traitors aiding him. Right now Lou didn’t need to know about Albert resurfacing. She would have to be briefed before the meeting in Las Vegas, but even that had taken on a whole new complexion. What if Albert new about that? What if his surfacing in St. Petersburg was a prelude to him trying something far bolder and brazen when they hit Vegas? Adjustments needed to be made. It was just after five in the morning and Max wasn’t entirely sure when Niko had left The Hague. He remembered that Connor had created a handy app to track Max’s aircraft, but he had never had occasion to use it until now. After pulling the program up, Max was able to see that the Gulfstream was just entering New York airspace so by his calculations that had Niko landing in about four hours. Max needed to make sure security in Las Vegas would be air tight, but he needed to wait until Lou was gone to work before waking Abby and Frank. Lou would sense something was off if he got them up now and he knew
none of them would lie to her. Max sent Connor a message instructing him not to wake Abby or Frank yet, that he would do it himself as soon as he saw Lou was gone. Though he knew she would be busy with her murder case, he still needed insurance. It was time to test Dillon’s mettle. Max swiped through his contact list until he found the number and hit send.

  “My Dominor, What can I do for you?” Dillon barely let it ring once before he answered.

  “Mr. Cole, we have some developments, and I’m afraid I am going to be putting you in a tricky position.” Max prefaced things. “Can I count on you to help me with a delicate matter?”

  “Anything, my Dom.” Dillon was both nervous and excited to be getting a call from Max himself. It was a first.

  “I am assuming you are well versed on all the happenings over the past few months?” Max wanted to make sure Dillon was thoroughly briefed.

  “You mean Sanguinostri business?” Dillon felt Max was being rather cryptic. “Or specifically with Lou?”

  “Both.” Max answered. “You are familiar with the name Albert von Massenbach?”

  “Absolutely.” Dillon’s voice grew dark. The traitor was the primary reason he begged Abby to bring him in.

  “He has resurfaced.” Max loathed those words passing his lips.

  “And Lou doesn’t need that distraction right now?” Dillon was asking, but he knew that was why Max was calling personally. Only something regarding Lou’s safety would have his Dominor making calls to underlings. Niko would have called otherwise.

  “Right.” Max confirmed. “Call Connor for a full briefing. Niko is still in the air and won’t be landing for a few hours yet. You will be kept apprised as needs be. Lou has enough to worry about for the moment.”

  “Understood.” Dillon acknowledged. “I will escalate security protocols and make sure she is safe, my Dom. You have my word.”

  Max appreciated that he didn’t need to remind him of Lou’s safety. It put Dillon up a few notches in Max’s book. “I’ll also need you to get her moving as soon as possible today. Given our working arrangements here, having everyone flying around would surely make her suspicious.”

  “I’ll get her moving as early as I can, without it seeming out of place.” Dillon told him, knowing they had a very busy day ahead of them anyway. “I’ll wake her up in about forty-five minutes?”

  “If it helps you at all, I know she’s awake now.” Max looked out the window and could see her lights were on. She hadn’t gone back to sleep after their visit.

  “I’ll get on it immediately then.” Dillon assured him.

  “Thank you, Mr. Cole.” Max was relieved. “I’ll be in touch.” He hung up and watched the shadow of Lou walking around in her quarters. Max wondered what she was up to. He worried she would be livid at them all for keeping her out of the loop, even if it was a temporary thing. Max knew she could handle it, that really wasn’t the problem. The problem was that Lou never backed away from a fight and Albert was unfinished business for her as much as it was for Max. She would run headlong into the battle without proper precautions or back-up. She’d do exactly what Max had done the second they figured out where Albert was holding her so many weeks ago. He knew her. She knew him. It was futile trying to pretend otherwise, but he just didn’t know how to get passed this stage. He had never been in this position before in all his years. Niko was right, who was Max trying to kid? He was in uncharted waters, and he needed to figure out how to navigate, fast.

  Lou was in the shower when Dillon texted. By the time she called him back, she was dressed and ready to get to work despite the early hour. All that mattered was finding their killer so they could get the cases wrapped up and Lou could shift her focus to her Principate duties. As the sun crested the mountains in the east, Lou was waiting in the driveway for Dillon and spotted Connor, Finn and Yuri jogging up the far side off the drive.

  “Morning boys!” Lou shouted with a chipper tone, but the three didn’t pause or break stride to greet her. They just waved and headed straight back to the guest house. Under normal circumstances, she would have thought that odd but with the ambush on Niko, Lou knew there was no time for chit chat. She understood completely and wished she could join them, but there was a different order of things for her. Their femme fatal was her priority, and Lou had a gut feeling they would be hot on her trail before lunch.

  “Good morning!” Lou said in a sing-songy voice as she hopped in the SUV.

  “Morning!” Dillon answered with a smile.

  Lou buckled herself in as Dillon headed back down the drive. “So glad you were up early so we could get a head start on things.” She told him.

  “Me too.” Dillon agreed and decided to address the elephant in the car before Lou did. “Crazy stuff about Niko, right?”

  “Pisses me off.” Lou grumbled. “We gotta get our girl fast so we can get working on that with the guys.”

  “Right. I figured we could go through the list of employees for the Gentlemen’s club while we wait for the warrants to come through.” Dillon explained how he had it mapped out in his head. “I’m thinking Rawlings and Griffen were at Medina’s party and maybe, just maybe...”

  “One of Rawlings’ employees was working the party or knows someone who was?” Lou finished his sentence.

  “Exactly.” Dillon nodded. “That’s the only thing I can think of that makes sense.”

  “Me too.” Lou agreed and liked that they were on the same page again. “I also have a gut feeling our old pals Esterhuizen and Timms might factor into this somewhere.”

  “Seriously?” Dillon wasn’t exactly surprised.

  “Seriously.” Lou knew it was a stretch but as they drove she explained the reasons for her suspicions as she had with Max.

  When they arrived at Homicide Bureau just before seven, Dillon could understand Lou’s line of thinking and they needed to pursue it further. The graveyard shift was bare minimum at Homicide making the offices feel deserted. It was a refreshing change of pace from the usual chaos. The quiet allowed them to zero in on their goals for the day. By the time Vinny arrived it was just after eight and the start of shift change and the normal daily buzz began in earnest. Lou and Dillon had two names in common on both Spank Me productions and the Gentlemen’s club employee lists. By the time they got Vinny up to speed with their cases, the warrants for their victims’ phone records and financials were in. Vinny decided to pull in extra manpower to deal with the paperwork so Lou and Dillon could hit the road. Despite their having two names at the top of the list, they had a lot of ground to cover with a dozen more employees they needed to question, all scattered across the county.

  Dillon had mapped their route like a dot to dot worksheet starting with the employees that lived closest to the Bureau. The first two women were completely void of any relevant information and had been out of town during two of the murders. They both had extremely strong opinions about Josh Rawlings and his general propensity for being an asshole, but the lack of brain cells in both women made any further recollection of anything beyond two days ago was very difficult. It had taken only a few minutes to confirm their alibis, so the interviews were very short. The third woman on their list yielded absolutely nothing at all since she had injured herself the third day working at the Gentlemen’s club after a failed acrobatics maneuver on a pole. When she answered the door in a full cervical brace, Lou and Dillon knew they had hit another dead end. It took only five minutes to confirm that when they learned the woman’s stunt had put her in traction and on disability. The girl hadn’t even heard that Josh Rawlings had been killed and was more preoccupied with the status of her lawsuit against the club for her ‘work related injuries’ than his being murdered. Lou and Dillon started to think that the employees of the Gentlemen’s club simply did not have the mental focus to carry out these murders let alone the wherewithal.

  Amanda Franklin was the fourth name on the list and lived in an apartment complex withi
n walking distance of the Gentle-men’s club. The building was a dilapidated wreck with absolutely no security what so ever, unless you counted the kids shouting “five-oh” as soon as Dillon and Lou hit the lobby. After the fifth round of knocks, Amanda Franklin finally answered the door, less than pleased with being woken up. By the time Dillon and Lou got a word in edgewise to identify themselves as detectives, they were thoroughly aware of exactly what time Amanda’s hours of business were and where they could place their heads if they knocked one more time. After explaining once again who they were and why they were there, the woman relented and allowed them inside before her neighbors saw her speaking to cops. Apparently, fraternization with law enforcement was not looked upon kindly in her neighborhood.

  “It’s about time!” Amanda Franklin scoffed when Dillon told her of her former employer’s death.

  “I take it you won’t be sending flowers?” Lou jested.

  “Hell, I might throw a party! You guys want coffee? The woman asked as she scooped several heaping spoonfuls of what appeared to be instant coffee into the first mug she grabbed off the kitchen counter, not bothering to check if it was clean or not. Lou and Dillon both declined immediately. “Josh was one twisted dude. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind if I got hazard pay, but he was bringing in some bad dudes.” She paused to pull her mug of simulated coffee out of the microwave. “That last party, I was done.”

  “What party?” Lou asked as she crossed her fingers.

  “Some place around West Hollywood.” Amanda took a gulp from the mug. “Josh always had a buddy throwin’ a party somewhere, and he was all too happy to bring some of us girls. This one was out of control. The guy that lived there was a first class pig, and he had some foreign guys that liked smacking a few of the girls around.” Amanda paused to fish a half-smoked cigarette out of the overflowing ashtray and light it. “Again, don’t get me wrong! I’m okay with a little slap and tickle if it pays, but this was different. These guys were real dark, mean, and the junk they were passing around was making some of the girls trip hard. Totally spoiled the mood, so me and a couple of the girls called an Uber and got the hell outta there before they made us drink the Kool-aid. I picked up my crap from the club the next day and told pablo to tell Josh I quit.”