The phone rang, startling him from his daze. Perry’s mousy voice hummed over the line. “Brody, will you come to the hospital? Vasquez asked for you. Something bad happened.”
Perry hung up, leaving his questions unanswered. He removed a bottle of water from the fridge. He had half a mind to wash his hands clean of Vasquez, Stone, and the whole mess. It might be a setup. Perhaps Vasquez had involved Perry in her sick game. He supposed there was only one way to find out. He chucked the empty water bottle into the recycling bin beside the back door.
Molly looked up at him with a perceptive glance. Nicole’s cheeks were scarlet. He decided he was better off not knowing what they were giggling about. Instead he said, “I’ve got to go out for a while. I’d feel better if the two of you went somewhere public while I’m gone.”
Nicole scrambled off the couch, concern darkened her face. “You’re not going after Sean, are you?”
Brody sighed. Stone wouldn’t get away with all he’d done. There were things that needed to be said, things needed to be done, and Brody would see they were handled. It was obvious he couldn’t trust the law enforcement types to do it. “No, not yet.”
“Where are you going?” Molly asked from the couch.
“The hospital. Vasquez wants to see me.”
Nicole’s lips pursed and her brow puckered. “Why?”
Worry niggled at the back of his brain. “Look, she’s my ex-partner and I just shot her full of enough BST to kill two men.”
Nicole gripped his arm. “She tried to kill you, baby. She framed you for all the things Sean did. You don’t owe her a damned thing.”
“Maybe not, but she owes me an explanation.” He took her hands in his. This new closeness they shared was strange and unfamiliar, but comfortable and exciting at the same time. He liked it. His lips brushed against her forehead. “You can’t stay here. I don’t want anything to happen to you while I’m away.”
Molly grinned up at him. “We’ll just go with you. Hospitals are about as public as you can get.”
****
Policemen outnumbered the medical staff in the hospital corridors. Brody passed through the lobby on his way to the elevators. He recognized a couple uniforms from central division. They nodded or called a quick hello, giving no indication that they planned to arrest him. Maybe Vasquez hadn't told them who had nearly killed her.
Nicole and Molly walked behind him, hand in hand. Molly wore a wary, expression while Nicole’s was a bit suspicious. She glanced into each room they passed like she expected someone to jump out and grab them.
He didn't blame her. Everything about this was just so fucked up. He loved the idea that she was protective of him. She was acting like a real wolf's mate. He had to force himself not to smile like some idiotic schoolboy at the thought.
Once they were in the relative privacy of the elevator, Nicole's hand found his and she squeezed his fingers in reassurance. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
A wave of emotion heated his cheeks. He’d trusted Eva Vasquez. They’d been close once, mentor and student. She’d taken him under her wing and shown him the ropes all those years ago, rode with him when no one else would. The fact that she’d betrayed him really shook his ability to trust at all. He sent a covert glance in Nicole’s direction. She turned toward him. All he saw there was love and worry.
The elevator door swooshed open and all three stepped into the police filled hallway.
Perry squirted past two officers who chatted at the end of the hall. “Oh right, you came. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“What does she want?” He didn’t care how cross he sounded.
Perry winced though the malice wasn’t meant for her. She cast a glance in Molly and Nicole’s direction. “Vasquez was pretty out of it last night. She kept asking for you. She repeated your name, over and over and said she was sorry. What’s going on, Brody?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. Both Nicole and Molly laid a hand on his arm.
“Can I see her?”
Perry motioned for him to follow. “She’s in and out. The doctors said she’s lucky to be alive. The BST stopped her heart twice. She’s not out of the woods yet, so they’re only letting a select few visit her. Since she’s adamant about talking to you, you’re it.”
Nicole stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “We’ll be okay.”
"If anything happens, get friendly with a cop. Understand?"
Both girls nodded.
A bored uniform was stationed outside Vasquez’s ICU. Brody stepped inside the dimly lit room and noticed two things. The first was Chief William Glaser. He sat in a chair beside the bed. The gray haired man’s fingers steepled beneath his chin. Glaser’s shrewd gaze rested on Vasquez and he didn’t bother to look up.
The second, and probably most noticeable thing in the room, was Eva Vasquez. She looked fragile nestled amongst the stark white sheets. Her black hair was snarled around her head and tendrils of tangles lay across the pillow. Dark circles under her eyes left her with a haunted appearance. Skin that was once a caramel hue looked ashen. Bandages ran the length of her left arm, the one torn by her own nails. A heart monitor beeped slow and steady in the background.
“She wouldn’t talk unless you were here,” Glaser said in a hushed tone. His pale blue eyes turned in Brody’s direction. “Now that you’re here, she’s asleep. Figures, doesn’t it?”
Brody held no animosity toward the man. He hadn’t been in office at the time Brody was pushed out of the department. Still, he didn’t answer the rhetorical question. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest instead.
Glaser smiled, but it held no cheer. “She talks in her sleep. I know you gave her BST.”
He didn’t bother to inform the chief that the injection hadn’t been entirely intentional.
“Brody?” Vasquez’s voice was whisper soft, the last syllable of his name faded to nothing. Her eyes were half open and she stared nowhere and everywhere all at the same time.
Glaser leaned forward. “He’s here now, Eva.”
She ignored him. Instead, she lifted her good arm and beckoned for Brody to come closer. He chose to stay where he was. The police chief had to lean closer to hear her. Of course Brody wouldn’t have that problem, but he wasn’t going to pretend to be normal. Not this time. Her arm dropped back to the bed in surrender.
“I’m so sorry.” Her voice cracked and tears slid from her eyes. There was sincerity in her words, but he chose to ignore it. “He tricked me. I believed he cared about me and let my feelings cloud my judgment. I’m sorry I set you up.”
Glaser’s gaze turned in Brody’s direction. “What’s she talking about?”
Vasquez spoke in urgent gasps. “I wish I hadn’t planted all those things. I used to be a good cop, Brody. Will you tell them?”
Glaser’s face darkened. “You are a good cop, Eva.”
Despite his resolve, Brody found himself at the foot of the bed. His heart twisted in his chest and part of him wanted to hate her for all she had done. She was so far removed from the partner she’d once been.
Vasquez's eyes fluttered closed and her lips trembled. “I’ve done things, terrible things. It wasn’t just you, Brody. I did whatever he wanted, to whoever he wanted.”
“When’s the shipment?” Brody asked, not ready to accept her apology.
Glaser cast a sharp glance in his direction. Clearly, he didn't like the idea of Brody interrogating her.
Vasquez struggled to keep her eyes open. For a moment, he didn’t believe she would answer. Finally, she said, “Tonight. Half past midnight, pier fourteen.”
He pursed his lips. “I thought it was thirteen.”
“No.” Vasquez’s words began to slur. “He only said that because he knew the slut was listening.”
Brody scowled at Vasquez’s description of Nicole. Any other time, he would have defended his girlfriend, but under the circumstances, he let it slide.
&nb
sp; Glaser leaned forward expectantly. “You’re on Sean Stone’s payroll?”
“Brody was right all along. About everything.” Vasquez struggled to keep her eyes open. She lifted a hand toward Brody again. Her fingers beckoned to him, her eyes pleaded. “Will you forgive me?”
She lost the battle and her eyes drifted shut. Brody was unsure whether the sleep was drug-induced or from exhaustion. He didn't care. He turned from the room and strode into the hall.
Glaser followed. The older man laid a heavy hand on his shoulder to stop him. “We need to talk.”
Nicole and Molly joined them. Both looked uncomfortable under Glaser's scrutiny. Nicole’s fingers slid against Brody’s and he squeezed them in return.
He stared at Glaser and tried to read him. It was difficult to break through the cop’s icy blue gaze. He took a chance. “You need to put men at both piers. You heard her. Another shipment of Beast is coming in tonight.”
Glaser appeared torn. Brody knew he was trying to decide if this was real or a dying woman’s outrageous imagination. Doubt surfaced in his voice. “Are you sure it’s Stone? He’s donated a lot of money to the anti-drug programs.”
Brody decided to make a last ditch effort. The worst he could do was say no. “It’s just a front, Chief. He’s supplied the city for years.”
Glaser chose his words carefully. “We have to be one hundred percent sure. The department can’t afford another screw-up.”
“It won’t go bad this time. We’ll get him, Chief. Without Vasquez to run interference, we have the best shot we’ve ever had.”
Glaser scrubbed a hand across his chin and glanced down the hallway. “I’ve read some of the old case files. You made some serious allegations that Pharm-lab was involved. But don’t they manufacture wolfsbane tablets?”
“They do. Stone is CEO of the company." Brody saw his chances at nailing Stone slipping away. "They make BST in tablet and liquid form too.”
Glaser rolled his shoulders and took a deep breath. “Do you have proof? I really don’t want to go after him again without justification. I need more time, more information.”
“We don’t have the luxury of time.”
Nicole found her voice. “Chief? I was there when Sean was talking to Detective Vasquez and Tony. He told Tony to set up the delivery for tonight at half past midnight.”
Glaser smoothed a hand across his silver hair. Brody could practically hear the gears as they turned in his brain. The older policeman knew he couldn’t ignore these charges brought against Stone, but also couldn’t go after such a public figure without unmistakable proof. “Two men that's all I can give you Brody, and one of them will have the final say for the department.”
“I need more than that," Brody argued.
“I can’t spare any more than that. Some might not want to work with you.”
Brody chose to ignore the last bit. “Give me four who are trustworthy.”
Glaser nodded. “I’ll try.” He turned his attention to Nicole. “If we’re successful, you’ll need to testify.”
“Of course. I want to put an end to this.” She gripped Brody’s hand even tighter.
Molly was beside her in an instant, her arm around her friend’s shoulders.
Glaser stared at Brody. “We’ve got some things to talk about after this is finished.”
Brody allowed a single nod. He knew Glaser would need some verification on the things Vasquez had just admitted to. He’d have to somehow prove that he was innocent of the things he’d been framed for.
“Meet us at the station at eleven thirty. Everything will be ready.” Glaser clapped him on the shoulder.
“Stone got to Vasquez. We don’t know who else he has in his pocket. Let’s keep it as quiet as possible," Brody suggested.
Glaser moved past them. Once he was out of sight, Brody pulled Nicole into a hug. One arm wrapped around her waist. His free hand cupped the back of her head. She was trembling.
“Are you okay?”
Molly’s eyes were full of concern. “What’s wrong?”
Nicole swiped at the tears forming in her eyes. “I’m just so angry. Sean does whatever he wants and gets away with it. He’ll probably find a way to slither out of this mess too.”
Molly placed a hand on Nicole’s back and looked up at Brody. “You didn’t know he was an evil person, Nicky. It’s not your fault. You had no idea he gave you BST instead of wolfsbane.”
Nicole ducked her head against Brody’s chest and hid her face. He knew Nicole experienced some residual effects from all that Stone had done. He tightened his arms around her. He thought he might squeeze the air right out of her, but couldn’t quell the desire to hold onto her.
Molly’s face went through a number of expressions. She collapsed into a nearby seat.
Nicole trembled against him, but didn’t lift her head. Her voice was muffled against his shirt. “I’m okay. I promise.”
“Nicky?” He tilted her chin up with careful fingers. It was a chore to remain calm. “I’ll never hurt you. I’ll never let anyone else hurt you either.”
From inside Vasquez’s room, a shrill alarm went off. The policeman at the end of the hall sprinted away in search of a white coat.
Brody tore away from Nicole and jerked the door open. Vasquez was limp on the bed, the machines screamed all around her.
“Get out of the way!”
A doctor in blue scrubs raced down the corridor. A nurse and a policeman were fast on his heels.
Brody moved out of the way to allow the procession to pass. Vasquez’s door banged closed and the hallway was quiet again.
Nicole and Molly stood at his side. Both looped their arms around his waist and waited to hear Vasquez's fate.
Minutes seemed to drag on forever. Finally, the doctor stepped from the room. Brody heard him speak to one of the approaching nurses.
“She didn’t make it.”
Chapter Thirty-three
“See anything?” a static voice asked from the compact walkie-talkie clipped to the hip of the detective crouched beside Brody. One borrowed cop watched pier thirteen’s ruins for any movement. The other two, Park and Estrada, were perched next to Brody on a lifeguard tower that overlooked pier fourteen.
Chief Glaser had decided to come at the last moment. He and another detective were up the hill, halfway between the two. This bust was too important for him to sit out.
Brody snatched the binoculars from the duffel bag lying at his feet and scanned the water’s edge. Their stretch of sand was vacant. He shook his head.
“Negative,” Detective Park grunted into the device.
Brody scanned the beach again. Where was Stone? The punctual businessman was more than five minutes late.
Glaser’s voice came over the talkie. “We’ll give him ten more minutes.”
Park cast a sideways glance at Brody. “Maybe he’s a no show.”
“Maybe he knows we’re here,” Estrada suggested.
“He’ll come.” The hope in his voice dwindled. He had no assurances. Worry niggled at the back of his mind. Had Stone found a way to slip away, yet again? Maybe he'd gotten cold feet with everything that had happened.
An Escalade navigated the sandy hills and its headlights slashed the darkness. Brody and Park looked at each other then ducked low to keep from being seen.
“That’s him.” Brody wanted to shift, to change into his more powerful form.
Park snatched the walkie-talkie. “We have movement.”
“Nothing here. Hold on. Someone’s coming.” Erikson was at the other pier. His static-filled voice was hard to make out. “Never mind, it’s just a dog.”
Unease stretched through him. He snatched the communicator from Park. “Dog or a wolf?”
“I don’t know,” was the exasperated answer.
Stone must have shifted and that worried him. Erikson might be in grave danger. “Look again.”
“Big white wolf?” the detective answered.
Estrada gripped his
arm and motioned toward their beach. Brody peeked over the lookout’s window.
Tony swung his legs from the car and cast a suspicious glance around.
“Keep an eye on Stone.” Disappointment gnawed at him. Stone had separated himself from this. He’d known none of these cops could identify him in wolf form. Perhaps Stone had known they’d be there and had sent Tony on a fool’s errand.
“What?” Erikson’s confused voice asked.
“Stone’s car is parked in his drive.” Glaser’s voice crackled over the airwaves. “It appears he’s gone to bed.”
“Damn it.” He should have counted on this. He should have known there would be a snag to his perfect plan. He snatched the walkie again. “Stone is the white wolf.”
“Can he hear or smell us?” Park’s thick brows knit to resemble two caterpillars kissing.
Estrada motioned toward their beach and Tony. “He’s one too, isn’t he?”
“That’s why I chose this lookout. The breeze blowing off the water will mask our scent,” Brody whispered.
Another pair of headlights swept across the sand. A dark Suburban bounced across the beach toward Tony. The car stopped yards from him and he readjusted the arm in the sling. Brody was willing to bet he had a gun tucked inside.
Brody brought the talkie back to his lips. “We’ve got more company. I need Erikson over here. Chief, you and Jackson keep an eye on that wolf.”
There was some debate about this and Park grabbed the device from Brody’s fingers. Glaser’s voice boomed over the little box. “Just do it, Erikson. Get over there. Now.”
Park glanced at Brody. “Remember, you’re a civilian. You have to stay back.”
Brody laid the binoculars aside with a smirk. “Sure. If Tony or the others change, do you want me to just stand back and watch while they tear you apart?”
Estrada’s face drained of color. He blinked and clutched at the forgotten binoculars in his hand. “Chief said you weren’t supposed to get involved.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
A black man in a dingy white shirt and jeans hopped out of the Suburban. He greeted Tony with a handshake. Two more men, both in similar attire got out of the vehicle. They stood aside and shot wary glances at the burly bodyguard.
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