“Why?” he whispered, horrified.
“Everyone knows they were together. It wouldn’t be hard to convince anyone he killed her if he steps out of line.” Jace stared hard at Daniel and Nick knew he would gladly kill him too if the Boss would allow it. But Jace knew better than to defy the Boss, and the Boss liked Daniel, wanted to groom him or some shit. If Jace hurt Daniel, then the Boss would kill him.
But her, she was nothing but a means to an end.
***
The door jangled as Danny pushed it open, surprised to find it unlocked.
“I thought we’d agreed to get rid of the damn bell,” he shouted, the front area vastly different than the first time he’d stepped through the door. There was a receptionist desk now and a live plant. The naturalist paintings had been replaced with three sketches; a cabin by the lake, a small shack perched over the water, and an overgrown cabin in the woods. It was the last one which never failed to make his gut clench as he considered what happened there.
“Good, you’re here, and we’re keeping the bell until we can afford to hire a receptionist,” Addie informed him, popping her head around the door that he’d hung to replace the beaded curtain.
“I thought we were keeping the door locked,” he reminded her, his hand slipping the deadbolt closed. “Are you here by yourself?” He asked, glancing around the room for Jake or Connor.
“Yeah,” she answered absently, tapping her finger against her teeth as she read something in her hand.
“I thought everyone was supposed to have a buddy. Where’s Carly?”
“Econ 201 until 5,” Addie replied automatically. “And Jake checked the building when he dropped me off, but he had to leave because the Captain called. I told him you and Wade would be back soon.”
“You lied.”
Addie looked up at that and smiled.
“I lied,” she agreed. “Want to tell me what you and Wade were doing back at Lake Verret?”
Danny smiled as he ruefully shook his head. It wasn’t his story to tell. She nodded like she’d suspected that answer and then asked, “Where’s Wade?”
“Around back, parking. He dropped me at the door.”
Addie went back to the papers she was reading and Danny gave a relieved sigh. He suspected she was waiting until Wade came in to tell them about the case. It was doubtful they’d need him on it. He’d come to terms with the fact that most of the cases they consulted on for the Captain were more suited to Wade and Addie’s gifts and not his own. He was damn good at picking a lock or a fight, hotwiring a car, and all around causing trouble, but most of those skills weren’t necessary for a missing person case, which was the bulk of what they worked on.
She bumped into her desk and a couple of papers fluttered to the ground. Danny bent down to help her pick them up when he saw another ring picture peeking out from underneath one of the papers. He paused, not wanting to draw attention to it, or more questions from Addie. She gathered the papers, but Danny saw her hand linger on the picture for a split second longer than normal, and she tucked into her desk drawer instead of crumpling it up like the last one.
“Alright, Addie, now that everyone’s here, what’s this big case we’re going to be working on?” Wade asked as he came in and propped himself on the corner of his desk.
Addie blinked, the sheet of paper in her hand drifting to the floor as she became lost in her own thoughts. It was clear Wade’s question had triggered an answer in her mind, one that had nothing to with the notes now lying on the ground.
She walked over to one of the sketches framed on the wall, lifting it off. There were a dozen or more around the room, all sketched by Wade after one of his dreams, but Addie ignored them, intent on only one.
She stared at the sketch she held and Danny held his breath. He wanted to ask what was special about that sketch, but a glance at Wade told him to hold his tongue. Addie flipped the frame over and pried up the back to reveal another sketch.
Wade stood abruptly, his surprise at her finding a second sketch behind the first apparent. Danny felt a chill run down his spine as she turned it over, somehow already anticipating what was drawn.
The sight of the abandoned salvage yard caused him to stumble back, vague flashes of memory skating through his mind as Wade asked, “Where is that?”
“Brown’s Salvage,” Danny answered before Addie could utter a word. A shaky sigh escaped him as they turned to stare at him. “Off of old Delatte Road.”
“You’ve been there,” Wade stated as he looked at the sketch over Addie’s shoulder. A moment later, he said, “I didn’t draw that.”
“No,” Addie answered, even though he hadn’t stated it as a question. “I did.”
“I need a drink,” Danny muttered, twisting around to go into the break area. He eyed the punching bag, but a flex of his wrist reminded him he still had stitches in his arm. The door opened behind him as Wade and Addie filed in and he knew they weren’t sure what to make of the situation, any more than he was.
He suspected Addie’s case had something to do with him and the only thing he could think of was the night Dovie disappeared. Nick had never been able to look him in the eye after that night and Danny couldn’t remember much of what had happened.
“You sketch crime scenes now,” Danny said, fighting to keep it from being a question, but not sure if he’d succeeded as he pulled three mugs from the cabinet.
“I don’t know,” Addie admitted in a small voice.
“You hid it,” Wade stated, dropping into a chair as he pressed his thumbs into his temples. We all heard the why even though he was careful not to say it.
Danny stood by the coffee maker, waiting as the excess water hissed on the plate, the smell of the coffee soothing him as it filled the pot.
“I saw parts of it the first time,” Addie answered. “Then again last night with your question about what Jace could be brought in for questioning for. Last night, I dreamed.” Wade’s fist slammed into the table as Danny poured coffee into three mugs.
“Damn it,” Wade cursed, his expression violent as Addie gazed at him with a new understanding.
“Those dreams are horrible,” she admitted, accepting the mug Danny handed her. “They’re a nightmare you can’t wake up from and the emotions…. They’re so strong.”
“I’m sorry, Addie,” Wade said brokenly. “So sorry.”
She rubbed her hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.
“It’s not your fault, Wade. We don’t know how our gifts work. You can feel my emotions and now I have dreams attached to random questions. This is new territory.”
“It seems to me that this one is tied to us. It’s not a random crime,” Danny mentioned, knowing he’d have to reveal parts of his past that he’d have preferred to forget.
“What do you mean?” Addie asked, and Wade jumped suddenly, bumping the table and causing some of his coffee to spill.
“Wade dreams of unsolved crimes, but you dreamed of a crime you were asked about. One that is specific to Jace….and me.” Danny paused to take a sip of his coffee, and Wade kept his gaze focused on the table as he wiped up his spill. “We used to hang out at the salvage yard. There were train tracks that cut through the place. We’d dare each other to walk across the trestle where it crossed a steep ditch behind the place. We’d light a fire and drink out there.”
“Something happened,” Addie said and Danny nodded.
“One night we went out there, it was after I’d started to gather information for Jake, and I’m not sure what happened that night. Most of it’s a blur, but that night a girl I was seeing disappeared.”
“Dovina Brown.” It was Wade who spoke, startling Addie. Wade held up the file Addie had been reading before she’d been distracted by her hidden sketch. “She’s our case.”
“I don’t know what happened that night, but my guess is she’s dead. Probably dumped out there somewhere,” Danny said, acknowledging a truth he’d fought for years in the hope that she’d somehow ma
naged to get free of them all.
“I hid the sketch because I wasn’t sure what it was about. I thought it was might be like your dreams, Wade. But I didn’t want to tell you because you were so upset at the idea of me having those dreams.” She glanced at the file Wade held and then at Danny. “Ask me,” she said, exhaling. Danny nodded, noticing Wade’s sudden tension.
“Is Dovina Brown dead?”
“Yes,” Addie answered and Wade relaxed.
“I think we should wait till the others get here before going any further,” Danny declared, setting his coffee down.
“Why?” Addie asked, her nose wrinkling as Wade paled. Danny didn’t notice, more focused on what he was about to admit.
“Because I think I killed her.”
Chapter Eleven
“I’ve been doing this for a long time. And you know what I’ve learned?” His voice was measured, his pace steady as he walked toward Daniel. He was a man who was king.
“Drugs pay well,” Daniel offered, meeting his eyes without flinching. Laughter met his words, echoing in the empty warehouse and some of the others shifted at the sound. Their king was dangerous and his amusement terrified them.
“I like you, Daniel. I do,” he answered as his laughter faded. “I see potential in you, otherwise I would have killed you a long time ago.”
“I’m honored,” Daniel replied, keeping any trace of emotion from his voice. He couldn’t tip his hand, not now, not until he’d done everything he could to destroy the empire the man had built. Because he was only a man, contrary to what he wanted others to believe.
“No doubt,” the king answered, all humor gone as he stood in front of Daniel. “But back to my earlier question, you know what I’ve learned?” He didn’t wait for a reply this time as he answered his own question. “I’ve learned everyone has a price.” He met Daniel’s eyes and gave a satisfied nod. “And I’ve always believed it’s a mistake to assume that price is monetary.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed as the king turned away, the conversation having taken an unexpected turn. He was positive they didn’t know he’d been feeding information to Jake, otherwise he would already have a bullet in him.
“Some men prize honor, loyalty…family.” He turned back to Daniel and smiled. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. “Others can’t stand to be confined, like an animal caught in a trap, they’ll gnaw their own leg off to escape.”
“Fascinating, but I’ve always preferred the green stuff personally,” Daniel interrupted, spreading his hands wide. “That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? To make money.”
“For some, but you wished to leave,” he replied, gauging Daniel’s reaction.
“And you convinced me to stay.”
“Did I?” His lips twitched in a mockery of a smile. “I wondered. It’s always a good idea to insure your best players remain loyal.”
“I’m loyal.”
“For now.” Again, the flicker of a smile creased his face. “But I like to look at the long term.” He clucked his tongue. “You’ve been a bad boy, Daniel.”
He doesn’t know. You can’t reveal your hand or you’ll ruin everything you’ve worked for. Everything you’ve done for Samuel, Danny thought desperately, but his expression remained neutral. He lazily raised an eyebrow as he said, “I thought that was the point?”
The king chuckled, but his eyes remained cold. “I never thought you’d resort to coldblooded murder, Daniel, but the proof is there.” Daniel grew cold, his gaze sliding toward Nick, who refused to meet his eyes. He thought back to a few nights before when Nick had shut down when Dovie was mentioned and the accusation he’d flung at Daniel, “It’s you. It’s always fucking you, Daniel. They’ll do anything to keep you. It’s like you can do no wrong.”
“Murder? And who did I kill so cold-bloodedly?” He kept his voice light, but a sinking sensation in his gut warned him he wouldn’t like what he was about to hear.
“We used her to keep you in line so you got rid of her,” the man answered, releasing a heavy sigh as Daniel’s eyebrows dipped. “I’m impressed actually,” he continued, an offhanded admiration in his tone. “I didn’t expect such initiative from you, but the evidence is there.”
Daniel tensed, feeling the jaws of an inescapable trap about to snap around him when suddenly the doors crashed open and men came streaming in shouting, “Police!”
Daniel held his hands up, his eyes still zeroed in on the king’s as they were rounded up and cuffed. He heard them read him his rights, but kept his eyes firmly on the king. He’d waited a long time for this moment and planned to relish it.
The king smirked, confident in his ability to slip the noose around his neck and as their gazes locked, Daniel smiled. The king’s smirk disappeared as understanding filtered in. He glanced around frantically, taking in the DEA jackets and the ease with which they moved around, almost like they knew where to look.
You’ll pay, the king mouthed as he was yanked away, hatred contorting his face.
“Let’s make it look good,” Jake muttered behind Daniel, having been the one to ‘arrest’ him. “We’ve got a safe house for you set up. I’ll get you in the back of a cruiser. Don’t worry, Connor is driving.”
Daniel chuckled mirthlessly, “Don’t worry? You’ve ridden with Connor.”
Jake paused, acknowledging that truth. “Better him than a jail cell. I got the impression Marcus would slit your throat himself.” Daniel forced back a shudder at the memory of his face. Jake was right. Marcus would try to come after him. It was why they’d decided to put him in protective custody immediately following the raid.
“Samuel?” Daniel questioned, a sudden anxiety hitting him.
“Got some plainclothes keeping an eye on him as we speak. Marcus won’t get to him. I promise.”
“Thought you were going undercover,” Daniel reminded him.
“I am, but my promise holds. We have people keeping an eye on him. You keep your head down. We need your testimony to nail the coffin shut on Marcus.”
Daniel nodded, hoping Jake was right and he could keep Samuel safe. He had a sinking feeling it was too late for Dovie.
***
“Okay, you think you killed someone.” Jake was a master at asking a non-question, but Danny’s revelation had pushed him to his limits. “Let’s go over the evidence.”
“Danny didn’t kill anyone,” Carly said sharply, and Jake held up his hands in placation.
“I agree, but Danny thinks otherwise. We need to disabuse him of the idea.” Jake paced and Addie’s eyes followed him, she was the only one seemingly unconcerned about Danny’s admission.
“Danny, man. I think you’re the only one here who thinks you could have killed her. That should tell you something,” Connor spoke up, breaking the silence.
“God forbid Connor be the voice of reason, but he has a point,” Wade acknowledged from his perch on the edge of the sofa. “The evidence is shaky at best.”
“You don’t remember what happened that night, only that she disappeared,” Jules added. “There’s no body, no evidence.”
“We know she’s dead,” Danny pointed out.
“And anyone could have killed her!” Carly exclaimed. “Including Jace, who you admit hated you.”
“Hates. I’m pretty sure he hates Danny,” Connor corrected. “The bomb the other day made that pretty clear.”
Carly closed her eyes for a second, praying for patience, before shouting, “We’re talking about the past right now, Connor! Jace hated Danny then too. Maybe enough to kill Dovie and pin it on Danny.”
“But why?” Addie burst out. “It doesn’t make any sense. Dovie’s body was never found.”
“Until now,” Wade said quietly.
“What –” Jake cut himself off with a quick look at Addie. “Explain what you mean.”
“Addie drew the crime scene. My guess is that Dovie is there,” Wade answered. “It fits with what Danny remembers.”
“No body, no crime,” Addie said with
a shrug, but her hands toyed with the seam of the couch, belying her casual disregard for Dovie’s fate.
“But there is a body,” Danny said heavily. “And there’s a chance I could have killed her.”
“No,” they spoke in unison, their gazes meeting in understanding. “I don’t believe that, Danny,” Carly finished as Addie nodded.
“I appreciate your faith in me, ladies, but there’s no telling what I might have done if I was under the influence of something. You didn’t know me then.”
“If you were under the influence.”
“I think it’s pretty clear I was, Addie,” Danny answered apologetically. “I don’t remember a lot about that night, but the way Nick looked at me,” Danny shook his head, “Something happened that night he couldn’t forgive because he never would meet my eyes after that.”
“Probably because he knew what happened.”
“There’s a simple solution to this,” Wade mentioned and Jake shot him a dark glare. “Just saying.” He held his hands up in peace.
“We don’t know what reaction that could cause,” Jake bit out.
“I’m willing to take the chance,” Addie said immediately, but everyone could see Jake wasn’t.
“Let’s go back,” Connor broke in, ending their staring match. “Danny wasn’t the only one there that night. Jace isn’t available, but if we can find Nick…”
“We can find the truth,” Addie finished quietly.
“That would be the hope,” Connor stated. “Addie, where is Nick now?” Addie wrinkled her forehead as she shook her head.
“Where is Nick Jackson?” Danny asked, giving her more specifics to go by.
“Angola.”
“Guess we shouldn’t be surprised,” Wade muttered as she uttered the name of a maximum security prison.
“Angola. I wouldn’t have thought they’d put Nick there. He was a low level dealer,” Danny puzzled.
“So we take a trip out there and talk to him,” Carly interjected. “Find out what really happened.”
“You don’t just walk into Angola, Carly,” Jake told her with a gentle smile. “It can take time to arrange a meeting with an inmate.”
Hidden Betrayals (The Hidden Series Book 4) Page 12
