“This is your problem, brother. I’ll wait for you here.”
Grant opened the bedroom door and shoved his brother into the next room. “You don’t have any other alternative. You’re going in case I need help.”
By the time Beth was at the barn, the two brothers sat in the red rockers with their legs crossed waiting for her. She propped her hands on her hips and snapped, “Nina’s upset. You need to leave immediately.”
“As I told Nina, she is in danger and I’m not going anywhere. I need to be here in case Randal Collins makes an attempt on her life.”
“Are you serious? Randal Collins is out to murder you, not my sister. You’re the one with the big bull’s eye on your back. He’s in love with Nina.” Her hands waved through the air. “You’re putting her in danger and I want you to leave.” Her eyes swept to Josh. “And take your brother with you. I don’t ever want to see the two of you again.”
He stood and gripped her arms drawing her to her toes. “Don’t you see? I can’t leave. I feel responsible for Nina.”
“Take your hands off me before I bring assault charges against you.” Cold hard eyes peered up at him.
He released his hold on Beth and took a step back. There was no way to convince her he only meant to help. In her eyes he was the enemy. He was the man that broke her sister’s heart. “I will leave on one condition. Let Josh stay. He’s a homicide detective and will protect her.” Defeated, he added, “I don’t trust anyone else with her life.”
She linked her fingers together and let her gaze wander to Josh. “More lies. I thought you were between jobs.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Grant saw his brother pale. He pushed himself out of the chair and stopped mere inches from where she stood. “Listen to Grant. Nina is in danger. I’ll stay and make sure nothing happens to her.”
“There are several FBI agents posted around the farm.” Automatically, Beth’s eyes did a sweep of the area. When she didn’t see anyone, she looked at Grant suspiciously. “Trust me, they are there watching the house. They have been there since Clay and Mark were killed.”
“I’ll never trust you. You have no idea the sacrifices my sister has made. Then you show up with your pretty face and words. You have no idea the damage you have done.” Attention back on Josh she said, “You can stay. Take my advice and don’t upset my sister. Stay out of her way.” She turned on her heel and marched away.
“Well that went better than I thought it would.”
Josh asked, “What are you going to do?”
“It looks like I have no other choice. I’m going to pack.” Grant plopped into the chair next to Josh. “How long can you stay?”
Josh took a deep breath. “A few days. If you need more of my time, I’ll arrange it.”
Grant lapsed into silence. He could visualize Nina standing at the window waiting for him to pack his things and leave. She had made it crystal clear he was not welcome. “I’ll get a room at the hotel in town. I’m not leaving until Collins is behind bars.” He stood and stared at the kitchen window but he couldn’t see Nina. Yet, he knew she was there waiting and watching for his departure. “I sure made a mess of everything.”
“You found enough evidence to put a drug dealer and murderer away for life. I’d say you did pretty great.”
****
Grant had been waiting at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Raleigh for hours. As he had done ten times already, he asked his uncle’s secretary if he had called in. Again the answer was no. He paced the floor like a caged lion. Why wasn’t he answering his phone? It was almost five o’clock and his secretary would be leaving soon. In his imagination he could see his uncle lying in a puddle of blood. All kinds of terrible scenes were swimming in his head. Randal Collins knew they were on to him. He had a small army working for him and could ambush Uncle Tate and the other agents when they tried to apprehend him.
The elevator dinged and Grant twirled around praying it was his uncle. “Thank God. Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”
Tate stepped out of the elevator and kept walking. Grant caught up with him. “I knew you wouldn’t like what I have to say. Collins gave the agent assigned to watch him the slip. Word must have gotten out that we’ve issued a BOLO for him. He has gone underground. He left no trail to follow.”
His next thought was Nina might be in grave danger. “You’re going to have to assign more men to protect Nina.”
Tate opened the door to his office and sat behind the desk. “I already have four men watching the place. We don’t have the extra bodies to assign more men to watch one woman.” He pulled a file out of his desk drawer and slapped it on the huge oak desk. He peered up at Grant. “Why aren’t you watching her?”
“We had a fight. She sent me packin’. Josh is still there.” Grant placed both hands on his uncle’s desk and leaned in. “Call it a hunch, but I think she’s in danger. Please send more men to guard the house.”
“I told you I don’t have the men. More than likely Collins is half way to Mexico by now. I discovered he has a plane he keeps in a hanger at a small airport in Raleigh. It’s missing.”
Maybe Uncle Tate was right and he fled the country. There was substantial evidence against him. He took a deep breath to calm down. “I hope you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right.” He flipped over a paper in the file on his desk. “I have some connections in Mexico. I’ll put in a few phone calls and see if I can’t find his location and see about getting him brought back to the United States.”
Grant’s phone rang. “Hello.” As if too weak to stand, he dropped into the leather chair in front of Uncle Tate’s desk. “I’m leaving Raleigh now.”
“What happened?”
Grant pressed his fingers to his gritty eyes. “Juan didn’t get off the bus. Josh said Nina called his best friend and he said Juan never got on the bus after school.” He fought the nausea that rose in his throat. “Collins has him.”
“You don’t know that. Didn’t you mention he was having trouble with bullies at school? Maybe they are responsible for him not getting on the bus.”
“The kids at school aren’t gang members. They’re nothing more than well to do kids with nothing better to do than pick on children who are not of their class. After the last beating he gave them, I doubt they’ll ever bother him again. Believe me, Collins is responsible.”
Uncle Tate closed the file and stuck it back in his desk. “I’ll put out an Amber Alert.” Grant described Juan and gave him all the information he needed before he left to go to Twelve Oaks Farm.
On the drive he had to force himself to focus on the road. The moment he got his hands on Collins he was going to kill him with his bare hands. He wanted him to die slowly. Desperate for something to keep him from imagining all the horrible things happening to Juan, he turned up the radio and listened as C.C.R. belted out ‘Rolling on a River’. The music blared as he flew over the road at dangerous speeds. Hazards flashing, he passed one car after the other. Traffic was heavy so he laid down on his horn to get through the jam of cars and trucks. It was at least a forty-five minute drive to Nina’s, the longest drive of his life.
****
The yard was full of cars by the time Grant raced into the driveway so he had to park at the barn. Three Sheriff cars, two black SUVs, Beth’s compact, and a car he didn’t recognize lined the drive. He jogged to the kitchen door and entered without knocking. Maria sat at the dining room table with a tissue in her hand. Eyes red from crying peered up at him when he crossed the room and touched her shoulder. “I promise we’ll get him back, Maria.” She never spoke. She gave a weak smile and a slight nod. Two detectives sat at the table, both on their cell phones.
Nina and Beth were talking with three FBI agents while Josh stood between them. One of the agents was writing everything she said in a notepad. A deputy was in the midst of the suits intently listening to everything being said.
Usually he knew how to handle a situation, but this time
he was at odds of what to do and say. Nina gave him a cold look letting him know he wasn’t welcome. At least she didn’t ask him to leave. An FBI agent sat at a computer, fingers flying over the keys. Grant asked the agent, “Have you gotten a call from the kidnappers yet?”
She pushed her blond hair behind her ear and smiled. “Nothing so far.”
“What if they use a drop phone or a stolen cell phone?”
“Makes no difference. I can still triangulate their position if they’re not moving. I can pinpoint their location within a few houses and then we can surround a neighborhood and go door to door. If they call, we’ll be able to find them.”
Randal Collins probably knew that and wouldn’t risk calling. What was the reason for taking Juan? Was it to get at him or Nina? Damn, he felt helpless. At the moment he wished he’d never taken the assignment to watch Nina. He wasn’t a FBI agent and felt he had made some major mistakes. Mistakes that could get Juan killed. Anger and frustration took over as he realized he didn’t know what to do.
To his shock and dismay, Matthew Collins entered from the living room. “What in the hell are you doing here?”
Hat in his hand, he replied, “My job.”
Grant shot him a single hard look. “You’ve got to be kidding me. It is your son who has kidnapped Juan.”
The sheriff’s voice held a challenge. “Those are serious accusations you’re making. My son hasn’t been charged with a crime.”
“Only because he’s gone underground and no one can find him.” In three long strides Grant stood towering over the sheriff. “How do we know you’re not involved with your son’s crimes?”
“Are you trying to turn this around on me?”
“Listen carefully because I’m only going to say it once. Someone will pay for kidnapping Juan. I don’t care if it is you or your son, but someone will be sorry.” Josh stepped between them before they came to blows. “I want you out of this house now.”
“It is not your house. You can’t ask me to do anything.”
One of the FBI agents, a tall man in a black suit, interrupted. “Due to the circumstances of your son’s involvement I think it’s in your best interest to leave, Sheriff Collins.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. “If you hear from your son, please notify us. We just want to ask him a few questions.”
The sheriff’s voice remained steady. “The charges against my son are bogus.” He pointed a finger at Grant. “This man has it out for him. All this is over a woman.” His eyes swept to Nina before he whirled around and disappeared into the living room.
Grant followed to make sure he left. He opened the door and gave him a menacing stare. “I’m leaving my men to help with the investigation.” With that said he slammed the door. Grant didn’t trust his deputies anymore than he trusted the sheriff. Someone on his payroll was a dirty cop. He would bet his life on it.
“Do you think Juan is okay?”
Lacy sat on the sofa with another young lady. Grant assumed she was her best friend Michelle. Blue eyes the same shade of Nina’s looked at him with hope. “Yes, Juan is going to be fine. No one is going to hurt him.” He sat on the arm of the sofa next to Lacy. “I promise he’ll be back where he belongs soon.” A tear slipped over her perfect cheek and he wiped it away with his thumb.
“Can I see you outside?”
Grant gave her hands a comforting squeeze before he followed Josh outside. They sat in the glider rocker on the front porch. “I’ve been doing some investigating on my own.”
“What did you find out?”
“I had all of Sheriff Collins’ deputies’ phone records checked. Ralph Comer, the man with the stout build and brown hair, made several calls to Randal Collins’ cell phone. Could be they’re just friends, but then he could be more than that. Maybe they are partners in crime.”
Grant remembered seeing him in the kitchen standing next to the FBI agents listening to everything Nina was telling them. “Maybe you’re on to something. Let’s see if we can get him alone and ask him some questions.” It was a long shot but they had to do something.
Grant moved to the kitchen door and peered through the window. When Ralph Comer turned in his direction he motioned for him to come outside. Curious, Comer opened the door and stepped into the growing darkness. Not wasting any time, Grant and Josh each took an arm and propelled him toward the barn.
Comer dug in his heels. “What the hell are you two doing?”
“We have a few questions. I’m sure you won’t mind if we have a little chat.” Grant hoped he knew something. At the moment he was their only hope.
His lips hardened. “You can’t accost me like this. You have no idea how much trouble you’re in. I’m an officer of the law.”
Josh and Grant ignored his protests and dragged him inside the barn and dropped him onto the sofa. Grant pulled his pistol out of the waistband of his shorts. He pressed it to Comer’s forehead and threatened, “Tell me where Juan is.” Sweat pearled on the man’s head.
Josh tried to reason with Grant. “I thought we were just going to ask him a few questions. Don’t you think you’re taking this a little too far? There is protocol to follow.”
“I don’t have time for protocol.” At the moment Grant knew he wasn’t acting rationally. All this was his fault. Juan was being held somewhere and he was scared and maybe even hurt. He didn’t care what he had to do to get him back. He pushed the pistol deeper against his forehead causing Comer to go bone white. “I don’t know where Juan is. How would I?”
“Oh, but I think you do. You’ve made several calls to Randal Collins. I think you know quite a lot.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Randal and I are friends. We hang out together.”
Losing his patience, Grant shouted, “Tell me where Juan is!”
Again Josh tried to talk some sense into his brother. “Maybe he’s telling the truth and he doesn’t know anything. Let the FBI question him.”
A shaky smile parted his lips. “You won’t shoot me. If you do, three FBI agents and my two comrades from inside the house will descend upon you. I’m not stupid.”
Grant grabbed the throw pillow from the arm of the sofa and placed it on top of Comer’s upper leg. He pressed his pistol into the pillow to use as a silencer. “I’m not asking again, start talking.”
Comer struggled to get up. He shoved and pushed at him. With his left fist, Grant struck Comer in the eye. His head fell back against the sofa. “Last chance to tell me the information I need.”
“Go to hell.”
Grant pulled the trigger. The sound was muffled by the pillow, but Comer’s screams were loud enough to wake the dead. He placed his hand over Comer’s mouth to stifle his screams as he writhed on the sofa.
Josh grabbed Grant by the shoulder and swung him around. “Are you crazy? Do you want to go to prison?”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Comer bit back the screams and pressed his hands to the wound. Blood seeped through his fingers. “You crazy son of a bitch!” His breath shuddered out from the pain.
“You have no idea how crazy. I’ve been in Iraq and I’m suffering from some kind of post traumatic shit.” Understanding his brother wasn’t going to let up until Comer talked, Josh moved to the window and glanced out. “Do you see anyone coming?”
“No, Grant. Everyone’s still in the house.”
Grant grabbed the other throw pillow and placed it over Comer’s other leg. Again he pushed the pistol tight against the pillow. “Where is Juan?”
Gritting his teeth in pain, Comer pleaded, “Please don’t shoot me again. I don’t know anything. I swear I don’t know anything.”His eye was already swollen shut. It ticked when he looked at Grant with his only good eye.
“On the count of three. One, two, three.”
“Alright, alright.” He began to cry. It was an effort to understand his blabbering. “Collins has him at the Five Points Lounge in Raleigh.”
Grant patted the man on the face. “Now
that wasn’t so bad was it?”
Through gritted teeth, Comer stuttered, “Go to hell.”
“I’m not finished with you yet. Who else is on Collins’ payroll?”
“Just me.”
Grant pressed against his wound causing Comer to yell out in agony. “I’m losing my patience?” Again, he pressed his hand against the wound but tighter this time. “I will ask one more time. Who else is on Collins’ payroll?”
Tears poured from Comer’s eyes. “Dan Harris.”
Grant released his hold on Comer’s leg. “You’d better be telling me the truth. I’d hate to have to come back and shoot your other leg.” He moved to the kitchen sink and washed the blood off his hands. “Is Dan Harris inside the house with Nina?”
Looking like he might pass out at any moment, Comer gave a weak nod. “He’s tall with black hair.”
“Josh, you find a way to get Harris away from Nina. Call Uncle Tate and tell him to meet me at Five Points Lounge.”
He was almost at the door when Josh shouted, “You can’t go alone. Wait and I’ll go with you.”
“There’s no time. Take care of Harris and follow.” With that said Grant raced across the yard and jumped into his car. He gunned the engine and sped down the mile long drive. Anger and adrenaline pumped through his veins as the beams from the headlights sliced through the night. Hold on Juan, I’m on the way.
Chapter Eighteen
Josh flipped open his phone and punched in Uncle Tate’s number. No one answered. After trying him at several other numbers he gave up. In the end he decided not to call for help from anyone else because they didn’t know who they could trust. He called an ambulance for Comer instead. He hurried to the bathroom and got a towel for the wounded detective. When he entered the living area, Nina stood gazing at the injured deputy. She placed her hands over her mouth and whispered, “Oh, my God. What happened?”
Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) Page 21
