The Divine Devils: Mystery Suspense Crime Thriller: Book 1

by R Weir

  “Then I guess my work here is done.”

  “It would appear so. Which would mean you’re available to hire for other work. Victor told me you’re open after this case and I have someone who needs help.”

  Valerie knew about Athena’s trip to visit Victor. Though she was surprised Athena brought it up. She was wondering what she was trying to accomplish. Likely hoping to get her to slip up.

  “If you truly talked with Victor, then you know I’m booked up for months.” Valerie stood up, looking Athena square in the eye. “Besides if you think what I’m dishing out to the kids is a bunch of crap, then why would you want me to help someone you know.”

  Athena shrugged. “You’re here. I figured I’d ask. No skin off my butt if you aren’t available. I’d hate to snatch…kidnap you away from your other clients. That would be wrong.”

  Valerie showed no emotion at the words used. It was obvious Athena was suspicious of her. But she didn’t care. She knew she would win out in the long run.”

  “You’re a tough lady,” remarked Valerie, packing up her stuff. “I’d enjoy sparing with you, but I need to get to my next client who is having trouble with his love life. A fact I’m sure you have experienced a time or two.”

  With those words, Valerie walked past Athena, lightly bumping up against her shoulder, before walking out of the room.

  Athena came out of the room, watching her, before pulling out her cell phone.

  “She is headed out Shen,” she said after he answered. “Follow her and see where she goes. She is wearing a black pants suit and carrying a gray over the shoulder computer bag.”

  Shen was waiting in the SUV, his eye on the front when he saw her. She got into a Mazda Miata red sporty two-seater and pulled out of the parking lot. Shen followed on her tail out onto Cresta Road, heading north, up and down the hills, past Bear Creek Park until coming to Highway 24. From there she went right before entering on the I-25, again heading north, the traffic moving slow from the splash back of the melting snow which was leaving lots of standing water on the interstate.

  Shen did his best to stay back far enough not to be seen, but with the traffic this was challenging. He nearly lost her a couple of times on Highway 24, and then again on I-25, when he finally caught her exiting onto Garden of the Gods Road. At the light she floored it, running the yellow, leaving Shen to wait at the busy intersection for several minutes, before he could go, her car now long gone.

  “Damn” he cursed out loud, before pulling over into a church parking lot.

  “I lost her,” he said to Athena after calling her on the phone.

  “Do you think she knew about you following her?”

  “Maybe. She gunned it through a yellow light. Though many drivers do that.”

  “What about a plate number?” inquired Athena.

  “It’s a paper plate,” replied Shen, the number typed on his phone. “Scanlon can run it, but I suspect it’s a fake. Did you try calling her number again?”

  “I did and still only voicemail. I may need to pay another visit to Victor. I think with the right persuasion he would crack.”

  “Then you believe she is involved?” wondered Shen.

  “My gut says, yes. I was challenging her, and she was pushing right back. There’s more to her than being a therapist. She even brought up sparing with me, right after I mentioned kidnapping her from her client.”

  Shen laughed. “If you two spare, my money is on you.”

  Athena agreed. Though deep down she was certain Valerie wouldn’t be a pushover.

  ***

  Valerie arrived at the home in Black Forest, having shook what appeared to be a tail. She drove around for quite a while making certain the SUV she saw was no longer following. Calmness filled her. She remained confident, though it appeared the Divine team might be onto her. They needed to take steps to remove any avenues to finding them. As she got out of her car, she jogged up the steps to the loft, finding the three members of their team sitting, waiting for her. Her bag was tossed onto the sofa, her dress shoes kicked off, before she took a seat at the table.

  “Beer—please,” said demanded, her stare on Kyle.

  Rising to his feet, Kyle pulled out a bottle, removing the twist off, handing it to her.

  “We need to close the loop on Victor,” Valerie said after drinking a third of the bottle. “Did you get a hold of him about the rendezvous?”

  “I did,” replied Kyle. “I said to him she’d arrive Friday night at a hotel. He’s already there as we told him to stay away from work and his home for now.”

  “I knew he couldn’t resist getting his dick sucked,” remarked Valerie, nearly spitting out the words. “Change the booking to run through Sunday. Then you go to his room and pop him Friday night. Do it quietly and put on the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. We don’t want him found until Sunday.”

  Kyle nodded confidently. Killing was no issue for him when it came to Valerie’s desires.

  “Is there a reason why you’re moving up the timetable on Victor?” wondered Travis.

  “Nothing to be concerned about. Victor is a nervous nelly. Don’t need him to crack before we finish our task.”

  “Then we’re still on for grabbing them at the graduation?” inquired Jamaal.

  “Yes. Are you getting yourself setup as part of the security for the event?”

  “Won’t be a problem. Should give me the access we need.”

  “Excellent. I’m guessing the Divine team will arrive early and be given a back door to get into the event to avoid the crowds. We need to discover the route they will use and exploit it.”

  Confidence filled the room, each of them knowing they would complete the mission the others who came before them had failed on. A large payday awaiting their successful completion.

  Chapter 29

  Hunter was back in Colorado Springs getting arrangements made to fly into North Dakota. The city of Williston appeared to be the closest location to where he needed to be. A seat was available for the two-hour flight early Thursday morning. A car rental and hotel had him set to go to the booming Bakken oil region of the state. After landing a drive south to Windwalker where he hoped to track down Paige’s ex-husband, Isiah.

  After finishing he went looking for Paige. She was working from home today, Keoki hanging out in the living area enjoying a streaming moving on the 80-inch LCD TV in the living room. The animated movie Moana filling the screen with all its Polynesian delight.

  “Making you homesick?” wondered Hunter.

  “Not at all,” Keoki stated sarcastically, hitting the pause button on the massive remote. “Nothing more fun that sitting around all day. I should have brought books with me to read. Short of the driving back and forth, and the occasional strolls to make sure all is well, this is a boring assignment.”

  “You can’t complain too much, since the job pays well.”

  “After that first early morning showdown I was expecting more fireworks.”

  “Don’t get too comfortable. It’s coming! I guarantee it.”

  Keoki put his hand up to his ear. “Like always I have one ear and eye tuned in for trouble.”

  Hunter nodded, knowing Keoki would be ready.

  “Where is everyone else?”

  “Cameryn is taking a nap upstairs in the fourth bedroom. He has the graveyard shift along with Shen tonight. Athena, Shen and the kids haven’t returned from school.”

  “Is Paige in her office?” Hunter asked.

  “She is. I’ve checked on her a few times. Always on a call or in a virtual meeting. She appears to be a driven woman.”

  “You have no idea!” replied Hunter with a tilt and wiggle of the head.

  Walking away, the sound of the movie returning in the background, Hunter found Paige’s office, the door closed. He listened, hearing no sound and lightly knocked before opening it a crack hearing her say to enter.

  “Hunter,” she said, glancing his way for only a fleeting moment, her attention firmly on th
e pair of 27-inch monitors on her desk.

  “Do you have a minute to converse?”

  “Barely. The tasks of a CEO never cease.”

  Hunter came in, leaving the door open. “I found Isiah. He is in North Dakota. I’ll be heading there in the morning to track him down.”

  “What the hell is he doing up there?” inquired Paige, still typing away, a multi-tasking master.

  “Working for one of the oil companies doing PR.”

  “I should have guessed that is where he’d end up. Probably working for big oil just to piss me off.” Paige’s sour look one Hunter had seen many times in the past.

  “Possibly. Did you want me to tell him hello for you?” Hunter cracked a smile, hoping to revert her mood.

  “Hardly.” She didn’t find it the least bit funny. “Do you have anything else to report? If not, I need to get back to work.”

  Hunter moved closer to her desk, staying on his feet.

  “I did. I met with Troy Mayfield. He had a few surprising things to say about his attempt to merger with your company.”

  Paige looked up this time, her gaze clearly on Hunter.

  “I’m sure he called me a bitch and a few other choice words.” She stated it bitterly.

  “Not at all. He says the attempts to merger are passive and that he wants you to be the CEO of the new company. Claims you’re a great ambassador to have running things.”

  Paige waved off the thought with her right hand. “Bullshit. All I’d be is an attractive figurehead with no real power.”

  Hunter crossed his arms, his weight shifted to one leg. “He seemed sincere. Wanted an end to all the corporate battles between the two companies. Feels you will both be more profitable together instead of against each other.”

  She remained defiant. “He just wants our tech advances. We are infinitely ahead of them on every front when it comes to clean energy.”

  “Well either way, I don’t think he is involved.”

  “If you say so. But I still don’t trust him or the flock of lawyers he uses.”

  From behind him, Hunter heard a noise. He turned around and spotted Jose. It would appear he was listening in on their conversation. In he walked with a perplexed expression on his face.

  “You told me he wanted you out of the company as part of a buy out,” claimed Jose. “Which one is it?”

  “Were you eavesdropping?” wondered Paige, even more perturbed than before.

  “I heard what was said. Please answer the question?” Jose’s glare was frosty.

  Paige paused, not certain how to answer. Finally, after a couple of minutes she spoke.

  “There were circumstances to the deal—I failed to explain clearly.”

  “You lied to me!” grumbled Jose.

  Paige didn’t answer, but you could tell it was the truth.

  “We agreed years ago we wouldn’t lie to each other. It would appear I’m the only one who took this seriously.”

  Hunter felt uncomfortable standing there. “I probably should leave.”

  “Good idea,” replied Jose.

  Hunter walked out of the room, the door closing behind him. He did his best not to listen in to the argument that soon followed, heading towards the kitchen to find nourishment. While rummaging through the refrigerator, Athena strolled in the back door, with Shen, Olivia, and Deion behind her. She took a seat at the center island, while the other three went their separate ways.

  “Appears to be trouble in the next room,” stated Athena hearing the Hawkins spouses arguing through the walls.

  “A little disagreement about what Troy Mayfield told me.” Hunter explained to her what was said.

  “Did you start trouble between the Hawkins by bringing it up?” she inquired.

  “Not on purpose.” Hunter found some cold fried chicken and a beer. “Jose overheard me asking Paige about it.”

  “They’re going at it toe to toe from the sounds of it. If it gets quiet soon, I’m expecting moaning makeup sounds to follow.”

  Hunter chuckled while chewing on the white meat. “I had a few moments in my relationship with Paige that were similar. I suspect you’re correct, though it might be an hour or so before that happens. She doesn’t cool off quickly.”

  “We had a few moments like that ourselves,” proclaimed Athena. “Of course, it was because of other reasons.”

  Hunter nodded. “My wandering eye didn’t lead to makeup sex. Only a punch or two, which I couldn’t argue about.”

  “I pulled my punches. I should have wailed on you.” Athena put her fists up and shadow boxed. “After a while it didn’t seem worth it anymore.”

  “I’m sorry I put you through that. Unfortunately, I’m not a one-woman man. Doesn’t appear to be in my DNA.”

  Athena had learned long ago that this was the truth. “Your loss.”

  “Yes it was.” Hunter took another bite of chicken. “Plenty in the fridge.”

  “Not hungry.” She said it matter of factly.

  “Will the day ever come when you won’t be mad at me?”

  Athena thought for a minute. “Probably not. Though it won’t keep me from working with you. Besides, I enjoy busting your balls.”

  Hunter remembered a time when she enjoyed doing more favorable things to his balls but decided to keep the comment to himself.

  “What about Victor?” wondered Hunter, changing the subject.

  “I dropped by, but he wasn’t at the office. Did the same at his house, but his wife said he was out of town and wasn’t sure when he’d be home. She didn’t seem too concerned about him.”

  “A marriage made in heaven,” commented Hunter. “Sounds like he’s in the wind.”

  Athena nodded. “Could be. I’ll keep checking when I have time. We did run the bit on Valerie like we talked about. She was downright defiant. Shen followed her but lost the car.”

  “Did he get a plate number to trace her?”

  Athena nodded. “I called Scanlon, but it was a phony.”

  Being who they were up against, Hunter wasn’t surprised. “Damn.! Be nice to know what is going on there.”

  “Yes. Whatever it is, makes me believe she’s up to no good. Maybe I should set her up on a date with you! Being the heartbreaker that you are might be enough to break her spirit.”

  Hunter did a quick head nod and laughed. A vendetta he might enjoy.

  Chapter 30

  Once on the ground in North Dakota, Hunter felt the chill in the air on this late May day. The cold Canadian winds evident being only sixty miles from the border. Once in his rental SUV he turned up the heat to combat the cold, using GPS to direct him to his destination. A thirty-mile drive northwest that didn’t take a long time to navigate since the traffic was sparse, the highway rough from the hard winter with plenty of potholes to circumvent.

  Windwalker was once a sleepy little town, which boomed along with the rest of the western half of the state. The massive oil reserves of the Bakken Formation which stretched into Montana, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, were being tapped thanks to hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies. The influx of workers needed to run these rigs causing the explosion in population, while overwhelming the infrastructure of the region.

  Once in town Hunter found an odd mixture of old and new in the structures. The main downtown area was lined with older brick and mortar buildings, many two stories, with businesses on the lower level and living quarters on the second. But the outskirts were more modern, though they consisted of slapped together prefabricated buildings, erected for speed and not for long term durability. This consisted of offices, single family homes, hotels and a large camping area lined with small trailers to live in, many already exhibiting wear and tear from the harsh winter. Though they provided housing for the mass of workers needed to run the oil fields.

  When coming into town, even from his days as a US Marshal, Hunter would check in with the local police. Though he doubted he’d stand out, he still wanted to make sure they were aware he
was there and what his purpose was. With any luck they could even point him in the right direction, though local authorities often didn’t feel the need to do so. Which always made his job that much harder.

  A stop at the local police station, located in one of the older buildings, led Hunter to a diner on Main Street where Police Chief Idelson was enjoying lunch. With hunger growling in his stomach, Hunter followed the directions given. Parking out back of the building in a half sand and concrete lot, he sauntered inside, the tall black bald man turning a few heads.

  The floor creaked, the wood likely a hundred years old, Hunter found the man sitting in a booth enjoying his lunch. Strolling over he nodded his head, the chief sipping on his coffee, the liquid as dark as used motor oil, and likely tasted as such. Before him was an onion and green pepper omelet, a stack of pancakes and thick crispy fried bacon. Hunter tossed down a card, which showed his name below “Troubleshooter for Hire”, waving if he could take a seat. After reading the card, the man nodded while continuing to sip his coffee.

  “Are you carrying?” asked Idelson, noticing the bulge in Hunter’s jacket.

  Hunter nodded, opening his jacket to reveal his Glock in the shoulder holster for a split second.

  “Licensed—I hope?”

  Hunter nodded, while flashing his gun permit from his wallet, Idelson acknowledging it was legit.

  “A hardy lunch,” stated Hunter, wondering about the calorie intake Idelson was digesting. From his oversized belly it would seem this was the norm for him.

  “Brunch,” replied Idelson. “I didn’t have time for breakfast. Too much police work and not enough officers to handle it.”

  Hunter nodded, sizing up the fifty-plus year-old man, whose thinning gray hair needed combing, his bushy sideburns matching his never trimmed eyebrows. A paper napkin was tucked into his gray police shirt, which was a good thing as it was stained from bacon grease and coffee. The Police Chief had to look his best when patrolling the city.

  The waitress appeared and Hunter put in his order. “Eggs—scrambled—bacon and some orange juice, fresh squeezed if you have it.”