by Robin Mahle
The man held her gaze with a lethal stare.
Allison’s heart raced in her chest and she held onto Charlie’s hand. Both had turned clammy. Fear crawled up her spine and she wondered if this plan was going to work.
“Just thought you might know your neighbors. You ladies should go on home. It isn’t safe to be out here alone and especially seeing as how you’ve had too much to drink. Drinking and the ocean don’t mix. You catch my drift?”
There was no doubt in Allison’s mind what he meant. “You gentlemen have a good night. Come on, Sue, let’s go home.” She pulled Charlie’s hand and they started along the beach, walking outside the properties that lined the way.
The men watched and Allison needed to keep up the ruse. She was going to have to enter someone’s property or those men would surely follow. “We’re going in here. It looks empty.”
“Just get us out of here, Alli, before I crap my pants.” The color returned to Charlie’s cheeks.
You and me both.” Allison tried the gate of a house down from Fin’s. It unlatched. “Oh, thank God.”
When they were out of sight of the men, they nearly collapsed in the backyard of a stranger’s home.
“I thought we were done back there.” Charlie turned to Allison. “That was him. The fat guy. He killed Fin.” She leaned against the wall of the house and pulled up her leg for a better look at the injured toe. “I think it’s broken. I knew I shouldn’t have worn sandals.”
“They were the same guys from the video of Tommy’s office too. I didn’t see their faces that clearly, but one of them was chubby and the other was thin.”
“They’re working for the mayor. You see that now, right?” Charlie’s lips quivered.
“Yeah, I see it.” Allison draped her arm over Charlie’s shoulder. “We’re okay now. We’re safe.” She pulled back to examine the house. “Unless whoever lives here is a psycho killer.”
“Don’t you jinx us, Alli, I swear to God.”
The grey light of dawn climbed in the sky and Allison and Charlie had returned home.
Allison slipped her key in the lock and opened her front door. And after Charlie entered, Allison quickly secured the deadbolt. “Just in case.”
“Just in case,” Charlie replied. “Hey, look here.” She pointed to the living room where Nolan was asleep on the couch. “I bet that kid waited up for you.”
“I’m sure. I replied to his text once we got to the car. He sent half a dozen.”
“Alli, you’re going to have to tell him what’s been going on. If you don’t and something happens…”
“Nothing’s going to happen, okay?” She walked quietly to the kitchen. “We made it out safely.”
“By the skin of our teeth,” Charlie walked behind her.
“Yeah, well, it was my idea to go there in the first place. I take the blame.”
Charlie held up the thumb drive. “It was a good call, regardless of how it could have turned out. We can’t dwell on that.”
Allison smiled. “Thank you, Charlie. And I’m sorry about your toe.” She peered down at it. “It does look broken.”
“What do you want to do with this? We know it was the same men who were at Boyce’s office and the big guy was the same man I saw at Fin’s. Alli, we both heard the name. This implicates some serious VIPs. Milo must’ve suspected that was the case. That was why he needed to buy time—to prove it.”
Allison walked to the coffee maker and started a pot. “It’s 4:30 in the morning. Right now, I need coffee before I can consider the ramifications of all this.”
“I hope you’re making a full pot.”
Allison walked around the kitchen island. “I’ll go get my laptop. It’s upstairs. Let’s see how much more trouble we can get into.” She placed her hand on Charlie’s shoulder and smiled before walking into the living room. Nolan was spread out on the sofa and Allison draped a light blanket over the top of him.
“Mom? You’re home.” He roused from his sleep.
“I’m sorry to wake you, honey. Maybe you should go sleep in your bed. This couch isn’t very comfortable.”
“I was worried.” He sat up. “I got your text. I think that was when I fell asleep out here. Where were you?”
“I was working. Charlie was with me and as you can see, we’re both just fine.”
Nolan peered into the kitchen and spotted Charlie. “When is this going to be over?”
“Soon. It’ll be over soon, I promise. Now go on. Go sleep in your own bed before you get a neckache out here.”
He stood. The full height of his frame towered over her. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You should get some rest too, you know.”
“Are you playing the parent now?” She asked.
“Only if I have to.” He shuffled to his room and closed the door.
22
The sun burned through the morning clouds, but dew still clung to the windows of Allison’s home. She and Charlie had been reviewing the contents of Finley Dawson’s flash drive since before the sun arose.
Allison tipped her mug and noticed not a drop of coffee remained. “I’m out.” She pushed up from the kitchen chair and swiped the mug from the table. “I’m going to make another pot. Do you want a bagel or something? I’m starved.”
Charlie rubbed her eyes and released a heavy sigh. “Sure. Why not?”
“So far, we haven’t found squat that’ll tell us why Fin was murdered. Or what he was doing for the FBI.” Allison stood at the coffee maker and filled the carafe with tap water.
“Just a bunch of old case files,” Charlie began. “Why he would’ve kept them on here and not a server, I don’t know. I mean, who keeps a flash drive without juicy details on it, you know? That’s kind of the point of them.”
Allison pressed the button to start the machine and reached into the breadbox for the bagels. “We’re not done yet. We just have to keep looking. People are getting picked off one by one and I don’t want to know who might be next.”
Charlie clicked on another file. “Looks like this one is a video. Come take a look.”
Allison walked back and leaned over her shoulder. She peered at the thumbnail image. “It looks like video from his laptop camera. Press play.”
Charlie started the video and turned up the volume.
Fin sat at his desk, the laptop’s camera capturing him with a beam of light bouncing off his cheek. A knock sounded and Fin stood, walking out of the frame. He returned to his chair and was back in the picture, but someone was with him. Someone they couldn’t see.
“Who’s there?” Allison asked.
“I have no idea,” Charlie replied.
Their eyes fixed on the video as it continued to play, and the man spoke.
“So, you weren’t told about the deal? I figured a man in your position would’ve been privy to that sort of information.”
“A man in my position?” Fin had answered. “I don’t think so. Sadler doesn’t say more than he thinks I should know. I don’t have his trust yet. That’s something I’m working on.”
Allison shot a look to Charlie. “Sadler. Fin knew about Sadler.”
“I was right. He did go see the mayor. And then he was killed,” Charlie replied.
The video continued.
“Last I heard, Diaz and Sadler were chummy until last week. I have no idea what happened at that point,” Fin continued.
“Look, Dawson, you’re going to have to come up with something better than that. Nash wants Carlos Diaz and without you getting details from your relationship with Sadler, I don’t know how long he can keep up the charade. Something’s gotta give. Boyce is getting close to the wife, but Nash needs more.”
The video ended.
“That’s it?” Charlie said. “That’s all we’re going to get?”
“Milo. They were talking about Milo. Maybe there’s more. Go back into the files and look for more video,” Allison said.
Charlie opened the file finder again. “I’m looking, jus
t hang tight.” She continued to click through the files. “Here’s another one.”
The video loaded and this time Fin was in his office alone. His cell phone buzzed on his desk. “Yeah. Dawson here.” He nodded and stared at his laptop while he listened to the caller.
“He doesn’t seem worked up or upset about anything.” Allison folded her arms and looked on.
“Give it a minute,” Charlie replied.
“That’s what I told him, man. I’m telling you, he’s reluctant. He doesn’t fully trust me yet but given time…” Fin jumped in his chair. “What the hell!” He whipped his head toward the French doors, which were out of view.
“What’s he looking at? What happened?” Allison dropped onto the chair next to Charlie, her eyes never leaving the laptop screen.
Charlie shook her head in reply and kept her sights glued to the video.
Fin set down his phone on the desk and walked toward the sound of the noise and then he was out of the frame. But only a moment later, he returned with a large stone and a note. He retrieved his phone. “Do you know what the hell just happened?”
“He’s worked up now,” Charlie replied.
“Someone just chucked a rock through my window. Can you believe this shit? And there’s a friggin note attached to it.” Fin nodded. “Yeah, a note. Says we know who you really are.” His voice trailed off and his face turned deadpan.
“Oh no. Whoever it was, the mayor’s people or whatever, they figured out he was FBI,” Allison said. “Look at his face.”
“I see it,” Charlie replied.
Fin appeared to regain composure. “No, I’m not shitting you. Dude. What is this, some 1930s Al Capone bullshit?”
Fin was silent again while whoever he was speaking to continued talking on the other end of the line. “They figured it out. I’m going to have to see Sadler and convince him I’m not who they say I am.” He paused again. “Just be there if I need backup, you hear me? Thanks, man.” Fin closed the lid on his laptop and the video ended.
“Oh, God.” Allison looked at Charlie. “He had been threatened. Charlie, the mayor threatened him. That’s why he kept this video. It was like his insurance so we would know what really happened.”
“We know people came back, either the cops or his FBI buddies, and searched his house. They took his laptop and the flash drive with Tommy’s surveillance footage. But they didn’t know about this.”
“And then Sadler’s people came looking to cover their asses,” Allison added. “We can have Milo make a call to the FBI field office and tell them about this. My God. How could I have not seen it sooner? Those men, they must work for Clay Sadler.”
“It’s looking more and more like whoever paid Carlos that cash is someone tied to the mayor. Why go after Tommy Boyce? Why go after Fin Dawson if it wasn’t all the same bad guys trying to cut loose ends?” Charlie asked.
Allison shook her head. “This video, the money that went to Carlos, and Fin’s murder, probably Tommy’s too. This all goes back to the mayor, you’re right about that.” She held Charlie’s gaze. “These are dangerous men who will stop at nothing to protect their boss. I think it’s time we get Lucy out. Get her someplace safe. Something tells me she could be next.”
“Where can she go?” Charlie asked.
“She has family who lives out of state. I know she has school here, but maybe she needs to make a trip to visit that family.”
“Do you think she’ll go?”
“We have a compelling argument. She’s 19, she’s scared. I don’t think we’ll get pushback.” Allison grabbed her phone and keys from the counter. “Bring the flash drive. We can’t let that leave our sight.”
“Where are we going?” Charlie stood from the chair and pulled the USB from the laptop.
“To see Lucy.”
The sun was just above the horizon when Allison and Charlie arrived at Tommy Boyce’s house.
“I don’t want to scare her, Charlie, and right now the look on your face says, ‘run for your life,’” Allison said. “Why don’t I do the talking?”
“Probably best,” Charlie replied.
Allison rang the doorbell. “I have no idea if she’s home.”
“Do you have her cell?”
“I do.” Allison stood a few steps from the large oak front door with her hands clasped at her front. “Come on, kiddo. Please be home.”
“It’s not looking good, Alli. Should we call her?”
Allison held the phone to her ear and waited, still peering at the door in the event it opened. Not only did it not open but the call also went straight to voicemail. “No answer on her phone.”
“What do you want to do?” Charlie asked.
Allison gazed out across the neighborhood streets in search of inspiration—anything that would tell her what she should do. She checked the time on her phone. “Okay, it’s almost 8. I’m sure you’re exhausted, but…”
Charlie raised a hand. “No buts. I’ll stay here and wait for her. You go.”
“The school isn’t far. I doubt she’s there, but it’s worth a shot.”
“Just call me when you find her,” Charlie said.
“I will.” Allison started toward the car again but looked over her shoulder with some concern.
“Go!” Charlie demanded. “I’ll be fine here.” She sat on a bench at the entry and waved goodbye.
Allison pulled away from the curb, double checking Charlie once again before turning her sights on the road ahead. The community college was familiar grounds for Allison. Nolan attended the same school. Lucy wasn’t at home and wasn’t answering her phone. Before panic erupted, this was Allison’s last-ditch effort.
The college was in sight and Allison pulled into the administration parking lot, jumping out and almost forgetting to lock her door. There were plenty of times when she prayed someone would steal that heap of crap, but today wasn’t one of those times. She pushed through the double doors and approached a woman behind the desk. “Excuse me, I need to find one of your students, Lucy Boyce.”
“Are you family?”
“No. My name is Allison Hart. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Lucy has suffered a loss in her family and I’m helping her with the arrangements. And I’m afraid I can’t locate her, which is concerning given her state of mind. I don’t know if she has returned to school or not. I hope you can help.”
“Lucy has made us aware of her personal situation. It’s very unfortunate. That young lady has been through a lot. However, as you’re not a member of her family, I’m afraid I can’t give you any information about her. Unless…” The woman typed something on her computer. “No. Sorry. I thought you might be on the list of contacts but you’re not. I wish I could help.”
Allison wore defeat. “Of course. No, I understand. It’s just. Well, she’s not answering her phone. She’s not at home. I was getting worried. That’s all. But I do understand.” Allison dropped her shoulders and turned on her heel to walk away.
“Hold on,” the woman said.
At this, Allison held a glimmer of hope and turned back. “Yes?”
“I can’t tell you her class schedule, however, I can tell you that she is not here today.”
“She’s not?” Allison asked. “But she has been back to school since—the incident?”
“I’m afraid not. That’s all I can tell you and I’ve probably said too much.”
“Thank you. I’ll take it from here. Thank you very much.” Allison pushed through the doors and hustled back to her car.
Before stepping inside, she grabbed her phone from her purse. “Let’s try this one more time.” She waited for Lucy to answer. “Where are you, kiddo?” But as the line continued to ring and eventually went to voicemail, Allison sighed. “Damn.” She dialed Charlie and expected a better outcome. “Well, at least you’re answering. Any luck?”
“By your question, I assume Lucy’s not at the school,” Charlie replied.
“Nope. I tried her phone again and still
no answer. We need to find her.”
“Does she have a job? Part time or anything?”
“I don’t know. But I have a feeling if she did, she probably didn’t show up there either. The school said she hadn’t been back.”
“Should we tell Shane?” Charlie began. “I know he’s going to be pissed about what we did last night, but this isn’t about us. It’s about Lucy’s safety. That takes precedence over our choices.”
“You mean, my choice.” Allison stepped into the car. “No, I agree. I’m on my way back to you now.” She set down her phone in the center console and started the engine. Charlie knew when to call it and she was right. Shane was going to have to know what was on that flash drive and along with that, he would want to know how they got it. To say he would be pissed was an understatement. What she did—and with Charlie—wasn’t smart. But what was done was done and now they had compelling evidence against Clay Sadler.
Allison returned to the Boyce home and still there was no sign of Lucy’s car. “I can’t catch a break today.” She stepped out and walked to the front door. “Charlie?” Allison looked around. “Charlie? I’m back. Where are you?” She moved beyond the cover of the patio. “Charlie?” Fear exploded in her voice and lodged in her throat. “Oh God, Charlie, please answer me.” Allison walked onto the sidewalk in front of the house. Her hand clasped over her mouth and she choked back her welling tears. Then a hand pressed against her shoulder.
“Alli.”
Allison spun around. “Charlie! I’ve been calling for you. Do you have any idea…?”
“Someone was here.” Charlie’s eyes darted up and down the street. “I heard a car just after we got off the phone and I thought it might be Lucy. I stepped out from under the porch and saw a black car. At first, I was just so damn glad it wasn’t the silver Mercedes, but I was afraid to stick around to see who stepped out of it. I flew like a bat out of hell looking for cover.”
“Someone came looking for her. After I promised her she would be safe.” Allison examined Charlie. “But you’re okay? They didn’t see you?”